Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
It is learnt that the Tourism department is prepared to proceed with the allocation in accordance with the beach shack policy.
However, there is a certain level of confusion arising from the involvement of the State Environment department, which now determines the shack locations based on the beach’s capacity.
The tourism department has already granted licenses for 359 beach shacks, but the installation process is at a standstill, as confirmed by a senior tourism department official.
Is this what we call single window clearance or ease of doing business? Why are the local traditional shack owners being harassed. The precious month has already passed.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
The entire October month has passed with thousands, if not lakhs, of Indian and international tourists have visited the State in the month but still the Goa Tourism Department is still grappling over the issue of allottment of beach shacks.
Shockingly, the State Tourism Department has extended deadline for submitting the applications for erection of beach shacks, deck beds, umbrellas to October 30.
This makes it clear that beach shacks, the main tourist attraction on beaches, will take more time to come up along the coastal belts.
The applications were accepted till 1 pm on Oct 30. Oct 27 was the last date for submission of applications as per the previously issued public notice.
Shack operators and other stakeholders have been expressing concern over the inordinate delay in beach shack allocations even a month after full-fledged commencement of the tourist season in Goa.
Beach shacks, constructed using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, wooden poles, and thatched palm leaves, have become a favorite attraction for both domestic and international tourists in the coastal state.
The lotteries will be put in the first week of November before the shacks are finally allotted to the operators
What is even more shocking is that the government which talks of simplifying the procedures is making it more cumbersome.
It is learnt that the Tourism department is prepared to proceed with the allocation in accordance with the beach shack policy.
However, there is a certain level of confusion arising from the involvement of the State Environment department, which now determines the shack locations based on the beach’s capacity.
The tourism department has already granted licenses for 359 beach shacks, but the installation process is at a standstill, as confirmed by a senior tourism department official.
Is this what we call single window clearance or ease of doing business? Why are the local traditional shack owners being harassed. The precious month has already passed.
Even if we conider the shacks would be allotted in next two days, the small shacks will take shape and start operations around November 15, the bigger ones may see light of the day around November 25-30.
So the November month will also go abegging. How irresponsible are the people at the helm of affairs?
If shackowners lose October and November month what is left is just December month. Is it worth running a shack for just one peak season month?
Cavelossim-based beach shack operator and President of All Goa Shack Owners Society, Cruz Cardozo was clear in saying that this is the first time in recent years that the beach shacks will commence businss around mid-November or end.
“Many of our regular customers, who used to celebrate Dussehra at the beach shacks with families, called us up to find out the ground reality. We were left with no option than to convey the message that the beach shacks are heading for a delayed start this season”, he said.
Many of the shack owners depend on the business for living as these six months they earn and survive the entire year but the faulty government policies has now put their livelihood at stake.
The moot question is if the Environment department was to be involved why was the process not started 6 months ago? What stopped the government?
Hope the better sense prevails and shack operators get allottment at least this month….
