the goan I network
MARGAO
Conveying a strong message to the local shack owners that the government will not remain silent if the beach shacks are sub-let to outsiders, Tourism Minister Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar sought the help and support of the tourism stakeholders, including the shack owners to clamp down on illegalities, including drug trafficking, nuisance by hawkers and to keep the beaches litter-free.
He conveyed the warning to a delegation of All Goa Shack Owners led by Cruz Cardozo, who had come to thank him and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister Michael Lobo and others for unveiling the beach shack policy for the first time in August itself.
“The government is allotting the shacks to the locals to earn a livelihood and support their families. The shacks are not meant for sub-letting. We will not allow any sub-letting and appropriate action would follow,” he said.
Soliciting support of the shack owners to maintain cleanliness on the beach belt, Babu told the owners to issue ID cards to their employees and install CCTVs for security purpose and to also ensure the illegal hawkers do not take shelter in the shacks.
“Help us to crack a whip on drugs. Since you are on the beach, inform the authorities on flow of drugs on the beach belt if you come across any such information. Since you maintain your shacks clean, help us to keep the beaches clean and litter-free,” he
appealed.
Saying that he has not done any favour for the shack owners by coming up with the shack policy in August itself, Babu reminded that he hails from a common man’s family and understands the difficulties of the common man. He promised that the shacks will be allotted and demarcated well before the commencement of the new tourism season.
Leader of All Goa Shack Owners, Cruz Cardozo thanked Babu, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister Michael Lobo, GTDC Chairman Dayanand Sopte, Cabinet Ministers and the coastal MLAs for their support and making it possible to get the new shack policy. “The seniors in the shack business had been fighting over the years to protect their interests. The shack policy has taken into account the ground reality. I am confident that 90 per cent of the shack owners will benefit from the policy,” Cruz said, while making an appeal to the shack owners to help each other in running the shack business.
A shack owner Inacio also raised the issue over GEL charging a hefty fee of Rs 12,000 from the shack owner, with a plea to the Tourism Minister to reduce the amount. Ajgaonkar has assured to look into the matter.
