NT Reporter
Panaji
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday said that the tourism department has decided to extend the Goa State Shack Policy by another year. He also said that the department has proposed to introduce drones for surveillance along beaches across the state to keep a check on illegalities.
Khaunte chaired a meeting of the shack operators at Paryatan Bhavan in Panaji on
Monday.
“The three-year shack policy comes to an end this year. Hence, we had to decide on whether to go ahead with a new shack policy or extend it
by one year.
The department has taken a decision, along with the shack owners, to extend it by one more year on same terms and conditions,” Khaunte said and added that the department will start the renewal process.
“We will get the renewals done at the earliest so that before September 1, they are ready for the season. Earlier, tourists had to wait for the shacks but in the last 3-4 years, it is the shacks that wait for the tourists. This year too, we have been able to support them and they are the ambassadors of tourism,” Khaunte said.
The Tourism Minister said that one issue that the shack operators highlighted was that hawkers and touts were continuously seen on the beaches. “Hence, this year, we have proposed that we will come up with a drone mechanism. Through the beach vigil app, we have a system wherein pictures are clicked and posted on the app and then action is taken. This season we will ensure that drone surveillance is added, whether it is for beach garbage, beach surveillance on touts, encroachments or other illegalities,” he said.
