PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte allayed apprehensions that the upcoming model shack project will give entry to non-Goans into the local business while assuring the Legislative Assembly that traditional beach shack operators won’t be replaced.
“We have to differentiate between the regulated and the unregulated businesses… Traditional Goenkars will run these shacks. In one year of my trip from Pernem to Canacona, I observed and took feedback from shack owners based on which we conducted a study with the environmental experts. This will find a solution to our traditional shack owners' problems,” Khaunte said in reply to a Calling Attention Motion raised by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.
The concept, which will elevate into a policy 'only' after consultation with the concerned legislators and stakeholders, is also expected to get rid of the annual hassle to dismantle and set up new structures considering that this exercise adds to the economic burden on the shack owners. Khaunte maintained that currently no “Model Shack Policy” is in place.
“A shack owner spends around Rs 35 lakh in three years to set up and then dismantle the same structure, as per the existing policy, every year. What is the harm in finding a solution to this? The policy will further ensure quality footfalls,” the minister added, reiterating that every aspect of the project will be discussed with the concerned individuals.
On behalf of the local shack owners, Borkar had raised the Calling Attention apprehending that once implemented, the policy will take away their traditional business.
“As per existing rules and regulations and an already existing policy, these shacks have traditionally been allotted to Persons of Goan Origin only, who have the experience of running the shacks by maintaining high standards. These shacks are one of the few tourism-related businesses that are still run by Goans and source of employment for the many unemployed youths of Goa. Hence the Government needs to take all the stakeholders into confidence and ensure that their livelihood is protected,” he said as the issue was supported by Vijai Sardesai and Venzy Viegas among other Opposition MLAs.
During the discussion, Viegas suggested that the government should look at investing money for installing CCTVs and providing policing as well as ensuring uninterrupted water and electricity connection, and sewerage facilities at existing shacks instead of shelling out Rs 1 crore each on model shacks.
Sardesai claimed that the proposal gives an “impression that the government is opening doors for crorepati outsiders” to take over the operations of the upcoming model shacks.
The Department of Tourism’s current policy formulated for the tourist season 2019-22 allowed 359 temporary beachside structures on various nominated beach stretches.
Considering ï¬nancial losses faced by the shack allottees during the tourist season 2019-20 due to the adverse impact of Covid pandemic, the government granted a 50 per cent waiver in the annual shack and deck-bed fees for the tourist season 2020-21.
The State thereafter extended the time limit upto December 31, 2020 and then upto February 28, 2021 for the tourist season 2020-21. The Tourism Shack Policy 2019-22 was also extended by one year with some modiï¬ed terms and conditions.
