PANAJI
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday indicated that beachside shacks might continue operations pending a report from the India Meteorological Department and related agencies. A final decision will be made on Monday.
“As far as the tourism department is concerned, by Monday, we will decide by consulting IMD and other departments. But in principle, we will not disturb the activities, subject to the weather conditions,” he said, reacting to the demand of the shack owners to increase the deadline for removal of the beach shacks.
The Goan, in its Saturday edition, had reported that shacks are likely to be permitted to extend operations.
The six-month-long tourist season concluded on May 31, at which point operations had to be ceased and the structures dismantled within one month. However, the State experienced an early closure and dismantling of 60-80 per cent of these temporary structures as the industry faced challenges worsened by bureaucratic hurdles and a slowdown due to ongoing conflicts affecting international travel plans.
“Except for a few shacks on some major beaches, most shacks are closed and even dismantled,” Shack Owners Welfare Society President Cruz Cardozo said.
Operators of those operational shacks urged the government to allow them to continue until the onset of the monsoon, particularly since the closure coincided with the weekend.
“Several shacks were not even able to recover their costs and had no money to pay their staff, so they closed early,” said President of the Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association Manuel Cardozo.
'Tourists should behave responsibly'
In view of drowning deaths in abandoned quarries and other dangerous spots, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has urged tourists to behave responsibly.
“Everyone has to be responsible for himself. After a few incidents, we have issued circulars to all the people and tourists and also we will post a tourism website about the safe spots. After CM's intervention, some departments have also asked the quarry owners to fence the areas,” he said.
"You cannot hold the government responsible for everything. Loss of life is a big loss. We appeal to the youth to go to the safe spots and enjoy responsibly."
