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Friday, Apr 11, 2008
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Goa moves to cleanse beaches

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The Goa government on Wednesday placed before a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Goa a policy pertaining to allotment of shacks, deck beds and beach umbrellas for 2007-2008 in its coastal tourism sector.

As per the policy, no illegal acts will be permitted in the allotted shacks (seasonal eateries set up on beaches). Use and sale of drugs will be prohibited. The policy comes in the wake of the strong stand taken by the Court over the failure of the tourism authorities to curb illegalities. From now on, only five pairs of deck beds and five beach umbrellas will be permitted for each shack and if more than the permitted deck beds and umbrellas are found they would be confiscated. Sale of food and beverages will be permitted, but permission from the excise department will be required for serving alcohol.

The Court in recent times came down strongly on the State Tourism Department for its failure to keep the beaches accessible to the people. On Wednesday, the Court expressed displeasure that the deck beds and beach umbrellas continue to encroach upon the beaches, thereby denying citizens free access.

The Bench, comprising Mr. Justice S.A. Bobde and Mr. Justice N.A. Britto, directed Director of Tourism Elvis Gomes to remain present in the Court on April 15 after it found that its earlier order directing the department to remove the illegal deck beds and umbrellas had not been complied with.

After a strong reprimand by the Court earlier, the government had assured it that encroachment on beaches, particularly at Calangute and Baga in north Goa, would be removed as early as possible.

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