PANAJI
Shack operators, armed with provisional licences from the Tourism Department well over a month before the tourist season’s start, now face another hurdle -- obtaining swift approvals from other key departments to ensure timely operations of the temporary structures.
Bureaucratic delays hampered their business in the previous years, a scenario they are desperate to avoid this time around.
“We are elated to have received the provisional licences, and I am confident we can start the business on time,” President of the Shack Owners Welfare Society Cruz Cardozo said, speaking to The Goan.
“We are now awaiting demarcation only after that can we set up our structures and apply for licences from other departments such as the Food and Drugs Administration, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Health, Excise, and Fire & Emergency Services,” he added.
It is learnt that the demarcation process will commence only in September, though many shack operators have already started receiving inquiries from tourists.
President of the Traditional Shack Owners Association Manuel Cardozo has called for a single-window clearance system, fearing delays in the current multi-step process.
“While it's beneficial to receive a provisional licence, the issue is that we need to set up the shacks before obtaining other licences. Ideally, the government should allow us to make payments, issue provisional licences, and then facilitate obtaining all other necessary permits. A single-window system is essential because, in the present circumstances, each department besides the village panchayats will take not less than a week to process applications,” he said.
Acknowledging the lack of coordination between departments, partly due to different ministers overseeing them, Cardozo believes the government can create a “win-win” situation for shack operators if it chooses to.
“Demarcation will take time, and after that, we can apply for the other licenses... I am not sure we can start the business on time, although we hope to do so before the Dussehra festival,” he added, explaining that half the season is typically over by Diwali.
However, non-coordination among government agencies is not the only concern as operators are also anxious about the timely return of their workforce, most of whom are non-Goans.
Cardozo expressed hope that operations could commence by mid-September while highlighting concerns about bringing back workers.
“We have started receiving inquiries, which suggests tourists might arrive early with this news. However, we still need to ensure the return of our workers,” he said adding “ensuring their workers’ return is another strenuous task”.
