------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shack licensing mechanism under fire for not being foolproof ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shacks are unique to Goa so also are the rules and regulations under which they are allowed.The allotment of shacks has, however, been surrounded in one controversy or the other every year. Every year the government calls for applications from among the Goan people at the onset of the tourism season for running of shacks on the beaches and the shacks are allotted after draw of lots.
Though the successful applicants have been given "assurance" over the years by the authorities that they would be given the contract to run the shacks next year, somehow or the other the assurance made to shack owners have not been kept.
Like every year, this year also the applications were called for running the shacks and 193 people have been allotted shacks after draw of lots, which was held in public. But some of the shack owners, who lost out on lots, have been crying foul and allege that the system was not foolproof.
The tourism director, Mr N Suryanarayana told The Navhind Times that the draw of lots was held in full view of applicants and young children and others among public were invited to draw lots. This system has been adopted by the government ever since the Bombay High Court directed it, he added.
Mr Suryanarayana, however, said that this year government had decided not to give licences to run the additional 51 shacks which were permitted last year. This decision follows the assurance to the effect given by the Tourism Minister, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco on the floor of the state legislative assembly.
He said that there were as many as 60 new allottees this year from among the 193 successful applicants. He also said the applications at various strategic tourists locations, like Calangute, Candolim, Baga, Colva, etc were far in excess of number of shacks to be permitted and at other places like Velsao, etc the applicants match the number of shacks to be permitted.
Mr Suryanarayana denied knowledge of any of the allottees giving rights to run the shack to others for a premium. There have been allegation that a number of people seek allotment of shacks and on successful "bidding" they give the rights to others, most of whom are those who do lose out on lots but have been running the shacks earlier.
Meanwhile, key players in the hospitality industry feel that government
should have a uniform policy to regulate the food business on the beaches.
The senior officials in the hospitality industry feel that rather than permitted
shacks all along the beaches, the government could set up food courts
on-line with those existing in other parts of the world.
For this, they said, the government should build infrastructure complete
with all facilities like running water, toilets, decent food storage facilities,
proper cooking facilities septic tanks, etc at strategic places near the
beaches and let out these to the successful applicants.
These facilities would help maintain the beaches and also help the service providers provide better quality food thereby eliminating health risks. These facilities will also help the people run their business well, said the officials in tourism industry.
They further said that rather than permitting structures on the beaches which spoil the beauty and create hindrance to people, food courts will go a long way in maintaining the beauty of the beaches and help their owners in running the business round the year. ----------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 19/10/03 page 1 -----------------------------------------------
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