shack owners get 2 weeks to respond (Herald)

shack owners get 2 weeks to respond August 13, 2013 TEAM HERALD NEW DELHI: The 5-member National Green Tribunal, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, gave two weeks more to the shack owners of Goa to reply to a petition filed by the Goa Foundation against constructions in the no-development zones. Allowing to file rejoinder, if any, to the responses within a week thereafter, the tribunal fixed the next hearing on September 11. It also directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to pass appropriate orders against the shack orders whom the tribunal has issued notices and submit a report before the next hearing by inspecting their premises in tandem with the officers of the Wildlife Department. The Tribunal also conceded a submission of the Goa Foundation counsel and directed impeadment of the Wildlife division of the forest department as a respondent. In its report to the tribunal, GCZMA said it has already issued show cause notice and directed demolition of the shacks in the No Development Zone in Morjim and Mandrem villages, but the order has not been implement as yet. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/shack-owners-get-2-weeks-to-respond/78134.html Coastal MLAs views to be sought on shack policy August 13, 2013 TEAM HERALD teamherald@herald-goa.com PANJIM: The tourism ministry is seeking views of MLAs representing coastal areas before it finalises the beach shack policy and places it for approval of the Cabinet. The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar along with Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar will be convening a meeting of coastal MLAs shortly for their views on the shack policy. There is a proposal that shack licenses be given for a period of three years or more specifically 3 seasons. “Since coastal MLAs represent the stakeholders it was felt that their views be sought for before finalising the shack policy,” said a highly placed official in the tourism ministry. The policy will also be submitted to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for its approval. The tourism ministry is hoping to complete the allotment process by mid- September. Last year the process was completed only by October 18 which irked shack operators who claimed to have lost business during the prime time of the season. The tourism ministry is also hoping to introduce CCTVs in shacks from this year as part of safety measures considering the fact that the license fee for a longer term will see shack operators agreeing to implementation of several proposals in the shack policy. As far as the shacks in private property, the tourism department is presently conducting hearings of those parties who have violated the shack policy. “Those who have failed to remove the shacks in private property will be dealt with strictly under the law and security deposits will be forfeited,” said a top official in the department. Barring the offenders from applying afresh for a license is also on the cards. All those who have violated the shack policy will be barred from applying for a licence for three years, said this official. In the meanwhile, the beach cleaning tenders has received a good response and close to eight agencies each have applied for providing beach cleaning services through mechanised and manuals methods in the North and South coastal belts of the State. The tenders for beach safety and water patrol is also expected to be re-floated shortly. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Coastal-MLAs-views-to-be-sought-on-shack-policy/78132.html