from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Oct 13: Shack owners in the state are up in arms against the tourism minister Dr Wilfred D’Souza for enhancing the shack licence fees.

While tourist season is beginning from next week, the state tourism department has started process of issuing licences for beach shacks. The contenders for this licence, however, are not happy with the procedures. They say that the procedure does not respect the seniority criteria.

Shack-owners are seen having gathered outside the Goa assembly complex to protest against the hike in the shack fee from Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000. (Pic Rajtilak Naik, Panaji)

“The shacks are largely catering to curb unemployment in the coastal belt. The state tourism department has unnecessarily enhanced the fees,” Fransisco Pacheco, a legislator who hold agriculture portfolio in Rane cabinet stated. The shack owners are strongly backed by Pacheco, who has taken up cudgels against his own partyman Dr Wilfred D’Souza.

“I have informed NCP chief Sharad Pawar about this and he has assured to intervene in the matter,” Pacheco said.

The tourism department has raised the shack licence fee from Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 this year onwards. The shack owners will have to shell extra for beach bed and other facilities.

“State government is not providing even basic infrastructure to the shack owners… how can the government ask for such a huge fees,” Pacheco questioned.

The shack owners have decided to meet chief minister Praapsingh rane and put forth their grievances.