MARGAO
Shack owners see red over the age clause in the shack policy unveiled by the government on Friday, accusing the Tourism Director for what they termed as a hidden agenda to finish the experienced shack owners.
In fact, Shack owners have resolved to oppose the Shack policy tooth and nail till the age clause between 18-60 years is removed.
A delegation of the shack owners will call on the Tourism Director on Monday and will chalk out the next course of action after the meeting. They also intend to call on the Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the issue.
President of Goa Shack Owners Society Cruz Cardozo it is apparent that the government want to bring in new comers in the shack business by restricting the age limit from 18 to 60 years.
“Most of the experienced shack owners have been running the shack over the years and must have completed 60 years of age. This is for the first time we have come across an age bar being enforced for business”, he said.
He added: “If today, the government has imposed an age restriction on the shack owners, tomorrow it would be the traditional water sports operators and the tourist taxi operators next on the agenda of the tourism department”.
Asserting the shack owners will not allow the government to implement the beach shack policy, Cruz said the government had assured the experienced shack owners that the policy is meant for their benefit.
“In reality this policy is against the experienced shack owners and to pave way for the new comers”, he said, while vowing to oppose the policy tooth and nail.
Cruz said the Tourism Director had invited the beach shack operators for discussions and to give their inputs on the shack policy. “We have discussed each of the issues with the Tourism Director, but suddenly we come across the age bar. This is totally unacceptable”, he asserted.
“We had other issues including the fee hike. But, this issue on the age bar is totally unacceptable. After running the shacks for years, the shack policy now threatens to displace the 450 odd shack owners, who have been in the business for years now”, he added.
