Panaji, Sep 8 (TNN): Tourism department will not issue licences to shack operators who do not install CCTV cameras in their shacks during the tourism season which starts next month.

The beach shack policy 2013-16 mandates that every beach shack should have a CCTV camera installed. Last season, many did not have CCTV cameras in their shacks.

Newly-appointed tourism director Ameya Abhyankar told TOI, "This year, the tourism department will not issue licences to shacks until they have CCTVs installed. Licences will be given only to those shacks that have CCTVs installed."

He said shack operators who did not install CCTVs were issued notices and their security deposits were forfeited. "CCTVs are important to ensure the safety and security of tourists visiting the state so that no untoward incidents happen in the shacks," he pointed out, indicating that they intend to give no relaxation to shack operators who are not in favour of installing CCTV cameras.

In 2012, the tourism department insisted that shacks should have CCTV cameras, but it was unable to proceed with its plan due to strong opposition from shack operators who felt they will have to incur additional expenditure of 30,000-40,000 in buying equipment.

In its three year policy, last year, the tourism department made CCTV cameras mandatory for shacks. The tourism department claimed that of the 338 shacks allotted last season, only 38 had CCTVs.

There is another important provision in the shack policy that has not been implemented yet, which is the 'green toilet'. Every shack must have one.

A tourism official said it will take a while to implement the beach shack policy in letter and spirit. "Shack operators who opposed everything in the past and are more inclined towards defying the rules, are slowly falling into place," he said.

Last season, eight or nine beach shacks were erected in the north illegally. Tourism department wanted to initiate action, but could not do much except for issuing notices. "The illegal shack operators had the blessings of a politician, so the department could not dare touch them," an official said.

The new tourism director said they will identify illegal shacks if any, in the next season, and strict action will be taken against them. "In the coming tourist season, no shacks without licences will be permitted to operate," he said. Last season, the department cancelled licences of seven shack owners for various violations.