GOA GOVT TO CRACK DOWN ON SUBLETTING OF BEACH SHACKS TO FOREIGNERS

In a move that could help prevent subletting of the shacks to the foreigners, the tourism department has decided to crack the whip and take strict actions against those shack owners who hire foreigners as managers without an employment visa.
The tourism director, Mr Swapnil Naik told The Navhind Times that this move would help not only in curbing the illegalities in subletting of the shacks but also many others associated with them. He also said that many people who have been getting licences for operating shacks on the beaches have been hoodwinking the law by camouflaging their illegal action of subletting by informing the tourism department officials that the foreigners have been hired as managers.“From now onwards they would not be able to deceive us using this trick,” he said adding that it is unlikely that any foreigner would come to the state on an employment visa for running the shacks.The tourism director also said that his officials would crack down on those putting more beach beds than the permitted number, even he went on to add that those found flouting the rules and conditions of the shacks could risk cancellation of their licences if they were found to be disobeying them.Mr Naik informed that the department would start a drive to demolish the illegal shacks on the beaches across the state beginning December 23. He said that demolition squad has been summoned for carrying out demolitions of over half a dozen illegal shacks, which would face action first.The officials of the tourism department have found out that these shacks were erected even before the lots for distribution of the shacks were drawn and despite being told to remove them their owners have preferred to risk demolition. The tourism director also said that no illegal shack would be allowed to operate and if any illegality was brought to his notice, he would promptly take action.Meanwhile, an illegal shack constructed in front of the lifeguard tower outside Taj Exotica at Benaulim has been causing obstruction to the lifeguards of the Surf Life Saving Goa, engaged in live saving. According to a press note issued by the SLSG, the shack was erected even before the licences for the shacks were granted by the tourism department and repeated requests to the owners of the shacks to re-locate it, so as not to impair the operational efficacy of the lifeguards at the tower, have not been heeded. On the contrary, the shacks owners have asked SLSG to remove its tower, if they wanted a better vantage point. The towers serve as central command and control points for the beaches and are critical for successful operation to be run in life saving.SLSG has approached the authorities concerned regarding the constraints imposed due to the location of the shack, which might impact safety, leading to a possible serious or even fatal accident.Aware of their responsibility to the administration, SLSG has unilaterally decided to augment the existing manpower/equipment from its own resources so as to minimise the risk to life of beach users imposed by the adverse location of the shack and posted additional two lifeguards and a jet ski was being positioned at the location so as to cover the area obstructed by the shack.