MAPUSA
He said although the prime minister had launched the Make in India initiative, the State government was discouraging locals from investing in their own business ventures and the denial of shack licenses was an apt example.
“The government has been insensitive to our demands. The process of issuing shack licenses should have been completed in September. As a sign of our protest, we will show black flags to the Prime Minister when he arrives in Goa,” Cardozo said.
He said the local shack owners have been deprived of business by delaying the licensing process.
“The government is patronizing five-star resorts and discouraging local entrepreneurs,” he added.
In the morning, about 150 shack owners staged a peace march from Calangute to Candolim shouting slogans against the government.
Issuing a veiled threat to the government, the Shack Owners Welfare Society General Secretary, John Lobo, said the shack owners can paralyze the tourism business in the State.
“We will not break our chain hunger strike and slow down our protest until the government gives in writing the licenses for the shacks,” Lobo said.
Many shack owners criticized the role of local MLA, Michael Lobo, for remaining mum on the issue and their ongoing agitation.
Lobo has not shown the same enthusiasm in supporting the shack owners as he did with taxi owners, some of the shack owners said while speaking to The Goan.
Sarpanchas of Calangute and Candolim, Annie Coelho and Sandra Fiola, respectively, and former MLA, Agnel Fernandes, were present at the protest meet expressing their support to the shack owners. Lobo walked in at the fag end of the meeting.
