MAPUSA
Even though shack operators along the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt want to dismantle their units and shut down business for the season, they cannot do so, as concerned authorities appear to have been caught in a bureaucratic wrangle and therefore hesitate to deseal the shacks to facilitate its removal.
For nearly two weeks, after the High Court (HC) of Bombay at Goa allowed dismantling of shacks, the shack operators have been running from pillar to post requesting the authorities to deseal the shacks but their appeal seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
It may be recalled, last month the HC had directed the closure of 161 shacks in the Calangute-Candolim beach belt for allegedly operating without the consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
Subsequently, several shack operators then rushed to the GSPCB to obtain the consent for permission to de-seal their shacks.
Recently, the HC on the request of the shack operators permitted the GSPCB to de-seal 27 shacks that had applied to the pollution board for dismantling.
Following the HC direction, GSPCB on May 5 permitted the operators to dismantle their beach shacks within seven days and the Tourism Department was asked to send a compliance report of the same.
The district magistrate, North in turn directed the Deputy Collector and SDM of Bardez to deseal the shacks and ensure that the shacks were dismantled within seven days.
The General Secretary of Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), John Lobo said a total of 57 shack operators had applied for dismantling and closure of their units.
“For the last so many days the shack operators have been running to and fro between the authorities requesting them to deseal the shacks so that they can dismantle their units for the season. But the authorities seem to be only passing the buck,” Lobo said.
He said the deputy collector has been insisting that the GSPCB and the tourism department have to identify the shacks only then he can deseal them.
