BY ASHOKKUMAR DESAI|NT NETWORK

CANACONA: The seasonal Shacks and tent owners of the Canacona Coastal areas have welcomed the decision of the minister for Tourism, Mr Nilkant Haldankar over the announcement of dates for the allotment of shacks.

The announcement to have the allotment done by the end of August and in the beginning of September was made during the current ongoing monsoon session of the state assembly.

According to some leading names in this business, the decision is a good step as earlier shacks falling under the jurisdiction of the Canacona Municipality would get the required permission only in the month of November and some times December, which according to them was too late and resulted in severe losses. Said one businessman, "What used to happen previously was that after getting the necessary permission from the Tourism Department it would take another twenty five days or so to erect the shacks and also take other required permissions’ from the local authorities, including the Canacona Municipal Corporation (CMC), Panchayats and Fire services etc.

Interestingly, residents from Palolem and Agonda allege that scores of shacks which were permitted by the civic body for the tourist season this year and whose permits expired on June 15 have not been dismantled till now. They said that this was happening as some of the shack owners had a lot of political influence backing them.

Mr Shantaram Bhagat from Devabhag said that more than fifteen such illegal structures are there at Patnem beach, in which some have been made into permanent structures as they have been built with latrite stone, and despite repeated, complains to the concerned authorities, the structures continue to stand. When contacted, the chairperson of the Canacona Municipal Corporation, Mr Shamsunder Desai agreed that a resident had submitted complaint regarding the matter, but Mr Desai refused to comment further on the matter.

People have alleged that in the past, the CMC carries demolition drives of shacks but it is all an eye-was as the demolitions are done in an extremely selective manner. Even the last demolition carried in the first week of July where the CMC alleged to have razed around 20-25 structures is alleged by residents to be a mere gimmick to hoodwink law abiding citizens and to allow offenders to go scot-free.

‘If civic authorities have demolished structures using the money of the public, than let them display the list of the owners whose shacks have been demolished. According to municipal rules, the demolition costs has to be recovered from defaulters and if they commit the same mistake again the offenders are supposed to be debarred from obtaining a license for the erection of a shack for a certain number of years’, informed a market inspector of the CMC.

The Poinguinnim MLA, Mr Ramesh Tawadkar said the government in the state was insensitive to the problems of the people. He said, "People should themselves stop selling their land to non-Goans. We should realize that money is not everything." He further said that tourism in Canacona was a good source of jobs but he rues the fact that at the same time the youth were getting destroyed as a result of unmindful tourism.

Mr Praveen Phaldesai, High court advocate said, "The Paloem beach in Canacona is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. This area is blessed with vast areas of forest cover as well as rivers like Talpona and Galgibaga. However, this natural beauty is slowly loosing its charm due to illegal constructions taking place". "Illegal construction along the coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) is going on unabated in the Canacona coastal areas despite strict orders from the High Court to curb such constructions in these areas", informed Ms Teresa Pagui, Councilor of Palolem ward.

The demolition drive carried last year by the Canacona municipality brought only a temporary sigh of relief as this year, illegal constructions have already sprung up. Residents of the area prayed that the chief officer of CMC, Mr Dipak Desai who many opine is honest and sincere in his work, will take immediate action on the people who are involved in these illegal constructions.

Prominent residents expressed happiness over the functioning of the newly joined Chief Officer, Mr Dipak Desai, who they claim has done a lot to curb illegal constructions, by taking stern action and also collecting long pending taxes from defaulters.

The long pending vacant post of Head clerk at the CMC has also been filled by promoting the efficient market inspector, Mr Yesoo Naik to the post. Tourism has changed the standard of living of the people for the better, but cannot overlook the moral degradation that is permitted here, opined educationist, Mr Manoj Naik Gaonkar.

Mr George Diniz, a resident of Palolem said that because of these illegal huts, mosquitoes were breeding in the area. The open pipes belonging to these shacks are the main reason for the problem, says Mr Diniz. Complaints in this regard have also been forwarded to concerned authorities. Even the toddy-tappers in the area are complaining over illegal shacks as many of these huts have been installed by tying ropes and other material
around the coconut trees for support. Mr Diniz further informed that electricity connection to these structures were yet to be de-phased. Moreover, he said that these huts are leased out to foreigners, thus depriving locals of gaining employment.