PANAJI
Livid shack owners have lambasted the government for the repeated delays in approving the shack policy which they say, if it continues, could wipe out half their season's profits. "The correct time to come out with the policy is in the month of August. They knew very well that this had to be done. It is only when it comes to small and medium businesses that the government is slow in moving its feet," Cruz Cardozo, president of All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society, said. "They are only playing games," charged Cardozo, adding that if nothing moves for another week, the shack owners will be forced to take to the streets. Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts to get in touch with him. The Tourism Department had, early last week, advertised calling for prospective shack owners to file applications for the allocation of shacks. The last date to apply for the shacks expired on Friday. However, the government cannot begin processing the applications unless the policy is approved by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority as well as the State Cabinet. GCZMA in turn is awaiting the report on beach carrying capacity based on which it will approve the policy. Private shack owners too are awaiting the report on the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) report without which, according to orders from the National Green Tribunal, they cannot be granted licences. The Tourism Department has tentatively identified beach stretches for setting up shacks with 259 shacks in North Goa and 108 shacks in South Goa. In North Goa, the ‘A' (or more lucrative) stretches consist of Calangute and Baga while the ‘B' stretches comprise Keri, Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Ozrant, Anjuna, Vagator, Siridao and Chapora. In South Goa, the ‘A' stretches consist of Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Calvaddo, Varca, Fatrade, Mobor and Cavelossim. The B stretches comprise Velsao, Arossim, Utorda, Betalbatim, Sernabatim, Velludo, Zalor, Palolem, Baina and Bogmalo. It is yet unclear how many shack owners applied for allocation with a Tourism Department Official informing that they have yet to compile the data.
