MARGAO
Asserting the four ‘model’ shacks, each costing Rs 1 crore proposed by the Tourism Department and to be auctioned to the highest bidders is an attempt to bring outsiders into the traditional shack business run by locals, the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) has decided to oppose the ‘model’ shacks tooth and nail.
Saturday saw delegation of SOWS led by President Cruz Cardozo calling on Goa Forward chief, MLA Vijai Sardesai, Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, Benaulim Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzy Viegas and Revolutionary Goans Party San Andre MLA Viresh Borkar with a plea to raise the issue in the ensuing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Cruz explained to the Goa Forward chief that shacks are one of the few businesses in the coastal areas which are still in the hands of local people on the basis of the assurances given by various governments, that tourism shall benefit the locals. “We are opposed to the Model Shack policy adopted by Department of Tourism. For whom are these four ground-plus one model shacks? Will the local shack owners be able to bid for the model shack when the upset price is Rs 1 crore? Hence, it is a clear attempt to get outsiders into the traditional shack business run by the locals,” he said.
Saying the traditional shacks have promoted Goa’s tourism to the current level since they were first started in the 1970’s, the shack owners have apprehended that the model shacks is an attempt to displace the Goans eking a living on the business. “The shacks were permitted to continue on the Goan beaches when the Shack Owners Welfare Society, Goa was heard on the draft CRZ Notification and the existence of traditional shacks in Goa was confirmed by the Environment Ministry and the same has been notified under CRZ notification 2011. The shack policy protects the interests of local unemployed youth,” Cruz added.
The delegation further pointed out that shacks allotment should commence by April and allotments completed by the end of May so that the allottees can make arrangements to gear up to commence shack business in second week of September every year if all preliminaries such as licences and demarcations of locations on the beach are completed in advance. “It is also important that the allotted shack places as per Tourism Department must be incorporated in GPS so that variations and encroachments can be, identified at site,” they said.
Saying the Tourism Department must make provision for collection of sewage waste periodically. It is important because for individual shack owners due to lack of motorable access it is not possible to cart away the sewerage. Besides, electric and water connections must be provided at the beach as soon as the licences are issued, the delegation added.
Cardozo pointed out that the shack owners are totally opposed to the MPT interfering with beach Shack policy for additional amount of fees. “Thousands of Goans are depended directly or indirectly on the beach shacks. Tourists coming to Goa also enjoy the ambience created by the beach shacks. Goa has gained positive reputation on account of the beach shacks which are run by local. It is necessary while forming the policy that old beach shack operated be considered as special category,” he added.
