Goemkarponn desk
MAPUSA: Taking strong objection to the allegation of Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte that 30 per cent of beach shacks are sublet to ‘Dilliwalas’, Congress on Saturday sought to know the names of outsiders and also leaseholders of government properties.
Congress leader Elvis Gomes on Saturday addressed a press conference in Mapusa and said that the government should first tell how many ‘outsiders’ they have given government properties on long leases.
GPCC secretary Vijay Bhike, Janardhan Bhandari, Vikas Prabhu Desai, Block President of St. Cruz John Nazareh and Calangute Block president Lourence Silvera were present.
Gomes said that tourism is the best source of revenue collection, but the government has failed to provide facilities.
“There are 340 shacks in Goa. As per Khaunte, 102 shacks are sublet to outsiders, then he should tell their names,” Gomes said.
“Make their names public. It should be transparent. Authority is with the Minister to act in it. He should use it and tell who has taken over these 30 per cent shacks,” he said.
Gomes said that the late Dr Wilfred Dsouza, during his tenure as Tourism Minister, had a vision in the tourism area and had acquired lands for the usage of tourism.
“There are many properties of tourism in the coastal areas. They were acquired earlier. Now we want to know to whom they are leased by the government, whether they are locals or outsiders,” he said.
He said there are many cases where the government has given its properties on long leases.
Vijay Bhike also criticised the BJP government for harassing the shack owners.
