PERNEM
The tourism department’s recent drive to seize beach beds from Morjim beach was prompted by complaints by residents in Mandrem constituency that a growing number of non-Goans have been placing beach beds without permission from local authorities and have been blocking access to the beach.Speaking to reporters, locals said it has become an annual affair for non-Goans to place beach beds during the tourism season and block access to the beach. They claimed that despite many complaints, authorities have failed to take action in the matter.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar supported the locals by stating that non-Goans are seeking to benefit from the peak tourist season.
Interacting with the local media, Arolkar said authorities have ignored illegalities and encroachments.
Responding to the complaints, officers of the tourism department began seizing the beach beds from Morjim beach on Tuesday.
Locals claimed that news of the drive to seize beach beds spread fast and as the beds were being removed by tourism officials, the shack owners and their staff were trying to hide the beds or take them away from the site.
They also alleged that beach beds seized by the tourism department are later returned to the shack owners and recalled one such incident when the beds were seized by the department, only to be returned to the shack owner following pressure by politicians.
