Karnataka   

Discrimination against clients prohibited

Panaji: Goa tourism, for the first time, has introduced a clause “prohibiting the beach shacks from discriminating against clients based on nationality”.

The policy was recently cleared by the State Cabinet to decide on the number of such shacks to be allowed on the 106 km coastline of the tourist State.

Beach shacks, the temporary eateries dotting Goa’s pristine coastline during tourist season, are eminently patronised by foreign tourists flocking Goa’s beaches. However, in recent years, the issues like denial of entry to domestic tourists by some shacks have invited criticism.

Amid clamour by local people for allowing more beach shacks, the State Government last week cleared a policy for shacks. The policy, among other rules, clearly prohibits any discrimination on the basis of nationality or race and warns that the shacks risk losing the licence if found discriminating on such basis. The clause is clearly aimed at coming down heavily on those indulging in discrimination against Goan and Indian tourists.

The clause has been an initiative of State Tourism Director Swapnil Naik who admitted while talking to The Hindu recently that there have been complaints from domestic tourists and local people as well that some of the shacks have been blatantly indulging in discrimination and denying entry to Indian customers apparently in their bid to woo the foreign tourists.

A senior professor from local university recently told The Hindu that he was the victim of such a policy at Calangute in north Goa and had brought it to the notice of the Director of Tourism.Mr. Naik said that the clause would apply to the shacks set up on Government land and as for shacks and restaurants set up on private land, he has sought the legal advice.

While the shack operators deny the charge of discrimination based on nationality and racial profiling of customers, some shack owners recently publicly claimed that there are instances where some domestic tourists misbehaved and caused nuisance to other tourists and the shacks and resorts were some times compelled to “reserve the right of admission” in their business interest.

Mr. Naik said the Government has also decided to reduce the number of beach umbrellas allowed to individual shacks. .

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