PANAJI
The State cabinet on Wednesday approved a holiday home-like concept in the interiors of Goa, in a bid to boost hinterland tourism and encourage local entrepreneurship.
“Many tourists visit places such as Sanguem and Sanvordem to enjoy the scenic beauty…The villagers accommodate these tourists…These houses could be used for the purpose where tourists can stay and they are also served authentic local food. The cabinet has approved (the proposal),” Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude said.
He claimed to have found support from the Mineral Foundation to push the project that will help the villagers to earn a decent income as well as allow tourists to explore the unexplored parts of Goa.
In yet another tourism-related project, the government seeks amendment of Section 17 of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act to provide alteration/ modification of the Regional Plan to accommodate and promote projects as well as schemes towards tourism development, economic and environmental policies of Goa.
“It will not materially alter the overall character of RP and also rectify errors in the RP and correction of inconsistent/ incoherent zoning proposals in the RP, in accordance with all the rules that may be made on this behalf,” reads the note.
The cabinet also discussed about issuance of permissions for trade, business, industry, hotels, restaurants, coffee house, sweetmart shop, bakery, boarding house or lodging house (other than a hostel recognised by the government) or a dharmashala or for manufacturing ice or aerated water or any other permission in the panchayat jurisdiction, depending on the resolutions.
The amendment has been approved as the clause also speaks about licence/ permission from Block Development Officer for construction, repairs, modifications, alterations or for the above identified trade. The aim is to “create transparent and efficient mechanism to streamline the process of granting permissions, licences and occupancy certificates,” it said.
