Panaji: In a major respite to the Beach shacks in the state, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Saturday said that the state government is considering to extend deadline for these structures to dismantle.
“As far as tourism department is concerned, by Monday, we will take the decision by consulting IMD and other departments. But in principle, we will not disturb the activities of the beach shacks, subject to the weather conditions,” Khaunte told reporters in Panaji.
The Beach Shack operators had petitioned State tourism department demanding that the deadline of May 31 given to dismantle the shacks be extended further as South West monsoon is yet to set in.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas had also written letter to the tourism minister seeking to extend the deadline for the Beach shacks.
Talking to reporters, Khaunte said that the tourism department had set a deadline of May 31 due to the weather conditions in the state.
“But right now, the domestic tourists are arriving in the state in a big number these days. Although, we will take the decision to extend the deadline, the shack owners should ensure safety of the guests,” the minister said.
Talking about the overall tourism season, Khaunte said that the stakeholders including Shack owners, water sports operators, traditional fishermen should work together as an eco-system.
“The stakeholders should hold the responsibility on what is happening on the beaches. If anything goes wrong, then there is a tendency to blame the state government,” he said adding that the department understands the issue of the stakeholders and the department is with them.
The minister said that the department will ensure that the regulations related to the tourism on the beach will come in force during the upcoming tourist season.
