MAPUSA
The State government declaring certain tourism-related activities as a public nuisance and its decision to act tough against those indulging in such illegal activities has been taken with a pinch of salt with many questioning the implementation of the law on the ground.
Several stakeholders in the tourism sector also said that the law against public nuisance was in place a long time ago but only the will to implement it was missing.
People have also questioned whether the law would be implemented fairly.
“The public nuisance act was in place a long time ago but it was never implemented. Now, the government wants to implement it. We have no problem. Implement the law but it has to be equal for everyone. There should be no difference between migrants and locals. Right now it appears action is being taken only against the locals,” said John Lobo, Secretary of Shack Owners Association.
He said officials of the tourism department including the flying squad have started taking proactive action against shack owners for putting tables and chairs out in the open in front of their shacks in the evenings.
“We have met the tourism minister and explained to allow the shack owners to place tables and chairs outside but within the area demarcated for sun beds. Anyone crossing the line should be penalised even at the cost of cancelling the licence of the shack owner,” Lobo averred.
He, however, wondered why the department was not acting against the migrants and their kids who swarm the beaches and harass the tourists to buy stuff and are even involved in thefts.
“There are so many migrants and their kids walking up and down on the beach selling laser lights, trinkets etc. Why no action is taken against them? Whatever alleged illegalities Goans do is not tolerated but whatever illegalities migrants do is tolerated,” he said.
Some shack owners said that the government was not serious about curbing the nuisance but targeting only certain sectors.
“We see so many tourists sitting and drinking on the beach but they are not fined. People are cooking on the roadside. The law is there, but no action is forthcoming. If you (government) are serious, implement the law in full force. Don’t pick and choose,” the shack owner said, requesting anonymity.
A shack owner alleged that some of the officials of the tourism department were biased and involved in “setting” with the shack owners.
“Some shack owners get advance information that the department officials are going to conduct a raid in their area and therefore remove their illegal tables and chairs in advance. These officials are then taken care of,” the shack owner informed.
According to the President of Calangute Constituency Forum Premanand Diukar, the move of the tourism department to act against illegalities on the beach is good but must be implemented without fear and favour.
“It is a good decision because sometimes we find there is no place to walk on the beach. They put deck beds and tables on the seashore right up to the water. Where will the tourist walk? It should be streamlined. And this should have been done at the time of shack allotment. Taking glass bottles should also not be allowed on the shore,” Diukar said.
He said the law should not be only on paper but implemented forcefully and effectively.
“I have not seen the flying squad in action yet. But will the flying squad work in the right direction or will it take ransom money from X, Y or Z persons and allow them to continue what they are doing? If that happens, there is no point,” Diukar opined.
