CANACONA
Hundreds of seasonal structures on the beaches of Palolem, Patnem and Colomb face an uncertain future during the peak tourism season, with the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) chief officer claiming that all such structures are illegal and notices are to be issued for their removal.
Interacting with persons during a courtesy call on Tuesday evening, CMC Chief Officer Raju R Desai dropped a bombshell by claiming that all seasonal tourism structures on the coast at Palolem, Patnem and Colomb beaches were illegal. <
Hundreds of seasonal structures on the beaches of Palolem, Patnem and Colomb face an uncertain future during the peak tourism season, with the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) chief officer claiming that all such structures are illegal and notices are to be issued for their removal.
Interacting with persons during a courtesy call on Tuesday evening, CMC Chief Officer Raju R Desai dropped a bombshell by claiming that all seasonal tourism structures on the coast at Palolem, Patnem and Colomb beaches were illegal. <
br />"Not a single file is pending with me for issuance of seasonal permits and the CMC will initiate measures to take suitable action against the so-called shack operators, who are carrying out illegal trade along CMC's coast."
"I have already directed the municipal engineer to inspect the municipal coast for illegal tourism trade operations and accordingly notices will be issued under the law,"
Desai said.
Desai stated that the operators had first set up their structures and were later seeking permits.
"None of them have submitted a completed file with the mandatory NOCs from GCZMA and tourism department," said the chief officer.
"Many operators are approaching me for municipal licenses without having their files completed and I cannot process these incomplete files," said Desai, blaming
the seasonal shack operators for illegally carrying out tourism trade.
"I have no intention to deny what is legitimate, but my hands are also tied and unless I get the needed paperwork fully completed, I cannot pursue the matter or issue permits," Dessai said.
Incidentally, before Desai took charge as chief officer, former chief officer Kedar Naik had collected about Rs 47 lakh as processing fees from as many as 70 applications received by CMC for
seasonal shacks
permits.
Confirming this, CMC Chairperson Prathana Naikgaunkar also informed that 15 more files for seasonal applications are pending with the municipal engineer, but added that these files have no NOCs
from GCZMA and tourism department.
"I have already directed the municipal engineer to inspect the municipal coast for illegal tourism trade operations and accordingly notices will be issued under the law,"
Desai said.
Desai stated that the operators had first set up their structures and were later seeking permits.
"None of them have submitted a completed file with the mandatory NOCs from GCZMA and tourism department," said the chief officer.
"Many operators are approaching me for municipal licenses without having their files completed and I cannot process these incomplete files," said Desai, blaming
the seasonal shack operators for illegally carrying out tourism trade.
"I have no intention to deny what is legitimate, but my hands are also tied and unless I get the needed paperwork fully completed, I cannot pursue the matter or issue permits," Dessai said.
Incidentally, before Desai took charge as chief officer, former chief officer Kedar Naik had collected about Rs 47 lakh as processing fees from as many as 70 applications received by CMC for
seasonal shacks
permits.
Confirming this, CMC Chairperson Prathana Naikgaunkar also informed that 15 more files for seasonal applications are pending with the municipal engineer, but added that these files have no NOCs
from GCZMA and tourism department.
