MARGAO
An inspection conducted by the Colva panchayat has revealed that fast food gaddas were cooking food with gas cylinders near the beach parking lot.
After the inspection, Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes pointed out that she has spoken to the Tourism Director as well as the Deputy Director on the issue of fast food kiosks cooking food with gas cylinders near the parking lot.
She said the panchayat will write an official letter to the Tourism Department on the matter, fearing that an accidental cylinder blast can result in an unfortunate incident at the beach.
“We have found the kiosks operating from the parking lot, causing problem to the vehicular parking. We will officially write to the Tourism Department to take cognizance of the situation,” she said.
Members of the inspection team further pointed out that the handcarts operating at the beach square were found wanting in displaying their licence on the carts. Instead, they produced their permission on their mobile phones, raising questions of carts operating illegally under one permission.
Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes pointed out that though the carts and kiosks have the necessary permission issued to the locals, many have been sublet to outsiders to run the business.
“The panchayat is not against the business activity. But, we have told them to move out of the parking lot. We have also insisted that the kiosks display the licences and permissions issued by the panchayat,” she said, adding that the Tourism Department has sent letters to the panchayat to initiate action.
