Dispute over allotment of beach shacks during peak season has resulted in a stand off that is harming both the state's tourism industry and small-time shackowners
Dispute over allotment of beach shacks during peak season has resulted in a stand off that is harming both the state's tourism industry and small-time shackowners
ADVERTISEMENT
"I have never seen Goa like this. It is so lifeless. Look at the beaches. It's only private shacks that are open presently and they are very few.
u00a0
It is a very disappointing scene," said Abhishek Gupta, a tourist from Mumbai.
A dispute between the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) of Goa and The Goan Traditional Shack Owners' Association (TGTSOA) over the criteria of allocation has delayed the process.
 |
|
Oh Shack! Scenes like these may become a thing of the past if the shack allotment dispute is not resolved soon. November- February is the peak tourist season for Goa. |
Experience first
As per the government's policy those with experience of 10 years and above were to get first preference in shack allotment while those with 6-9 years' experience were to be considered next and those with 1-5 years came last.
SOWS a group with over 300 members agreed. But TGTSOA challenged the policy in court. It wants allotment through draw of lots. The Goa bench of the Maharashtra High Court ruled in its favour.
Legal battle
An aggrieved SOWS appealed to the Supreme Court, which has ordered status quo till today, when it will hear the matter.
"This conflict has spoiled our business. Not many tourists are coming, especially foreigners.
They are our main customers and this season, when there are no shacks, they too are shying away from coming here," said Dominic Parera, a lone shack owner on Coco beach, North Goa.
"The kind of money we spent on getting a licence for these shacks is way too much. It would be difficult for us to recover the costs if the court keeps on postponing the allocation," he added.
A shack licence for six months, November to April, costs around Rs 25,000. "Then there are excise duties, liquor licence fees, food licence fees and so on. The overall cost comes to Rs 60,000-80,000," said Parera.
"The cost varies for different beaches, depending on their popularity and location. When we are paying so much, it is important for us to recover the cost.
Business this time is so bad that things seem very bleak," he added.
Rs 25,000
The cost of a shack license for six months (Nov-April)
Tug of War
A dispute between the shack owners welfare society of Goau00a0 (SOWS)and Goan traditional shack owners' association (TGTSOA) over the criteria of allocation has delayed the process.
As per the government's policy those with experience of 10 years and above were to get first preference in shack allotment.
SOWS, a group with over 300 members, agreed. But TGTSOA wants allotment through draw of lots.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
