the goan I network
CANACONA
The Agonda panchayat issued show-cause notices to 19 tourism stakeholders for failing to remove their seasonal structures at Agonda beach following the end of the tourism season.
According to Agonda Sarpanch Pramod Phaldessai, show-cause notices have been issued to 19 tourism operators for conducting business/trade without permissions from the local panchayat body.
Sources said many tourism operators are still conducting various tourism activities, including operation of huts, restaurants and shops, without submitting any applications to the panchayat body.
“The operators concerned had earlier submitted applications to the tourism department, but did not respond to further queries by the department. Since, these applicants failed to respond, the tourism department reported the names to the panchayat. Inspections were conducted and notices were issued to demolish and dismantle the structures,” informed Phaldessai.
“A seven-day notice period has been issued to remove the structures, failing which the panchayat will initiate further action,” added Phaldessai.
Meanwhile, Agonda panchayat has collected processing fees of about Rs 6 lakh from those conducting seasonal tourism trade, while only two-three operators, who obtained GCZMA/tourism department NOCs, were granted permits by the local body, informed sources.
“Even those tourism operators who obtained three or five year permits from the tourism department/GCZMA have to compulsorily dismantle their structures after May 31, with a 15-day grace period and obtain permission afresh from the panchayat to re-assemble the same for the next tourist season,” Phaldessai added.
