Assembly debates: Will Goans or outsiders run beach shacks?

Lobo’s assertion prompted calls from Opposition leaders, including Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, asking him to “name those in black coats”.

“Discussion is not about policy…somebody wants to set up a business, they will come and meet,” Lobo clarified.

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte intervened and said, “He [Lobo] has put a serious allegation…on the department or somebody…I am open to him naming them [in coats] on the floor of the House.”

Viresh Borkar, MLA from St Andre constituency, had moved a calling attention during the afternoon session stressing that once the model shack policy is implemented, the livelihood of local shack owners would be impacted.

“These beach shacks came into existence in the 1970s when tourism in Goa began to boom. As per existing rules and regulation and an already existing policy, these shacks have traditionally only been allotted to persons of Goan origin, who have the experience of running the shacks by maintaining high standards. These shacks are now one of the few tourism-related businesses that are still run by Goans and a source of employment to the youth of Goa. Hence the government needs to take all the stakeholders into confidence and ensure that the livelihood of all those that are dependent on traditional shacks is protected and the model shack policy be scrapped,” said Borkar.

In his reply to the calling attention, the tourism minister said “currently there is no model shack policy in place”.

Stressing that the government has to decide between a line of supporting Goans and regulating Goans, he said, “We did a small study with environmentalists; we spoke to most MLAs from the coastal belt and decided to come out with a model shack. What is a model shack? It is a shack which will take care of all the concerns raised by the shack owners and problems raised by MLAs and will support the Goans. We will take care of every aspect to give quality shacks to people who visit for tourism. The government is a facilitator and is providing the necessary support to Goans to run their businesses well. Traditional Goenkars only will run shacks.”

Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party, said, “Reportedly there is a model shack policy and reportedly that is causing fear and anxiety… traditional shacks have to be with Goans only. Reportedly a model has been prepared which is based on a monetary value of one crore… We clearly get an impression that you [government] are trying to open the door for big corporates in the business of shacks, which has to be in the hands of Goans.