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Panaji: Shack Owners Saddened over Beach Party Ban
- Mon, Dec 22 2008 12:55:03 PM
Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Panaji, Dec 22: The ban on the beach parties has saddened the Shack owners running their make-shift restaurants on Goa's sandy shores.
"Almost 70 to 80 per cent of our business was dependent on the Christmas and New Year parties. With the state government banning them, we are left in lurch," Cruz Cardoso, President, Shack owners Welfare society, Goa, said.
Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Saturday had announced that the beach parties will be banned from December 23 to January 5.
The state government has permitted 305 shacks dotting 105 km long state's coastline, with most of these palm-thatched structures clusters in famous beaches like Morjim, Baga, Calangute, Colva and Palolem beaches.
"Many shack owners were all set to have the New year parties. They will face huge financial loss. If there are no Christmas and New Year parties than we will not have any customers visiting the beaches," Cardoso stated.
The shack owners usually organize the parties with a local DJ playing the music and food and liquor served on the beach.
Despite huge dent in their business, the shack owners have decided not to protest against the state government's decision `in the interest of the state'.
"Security comes first… If government cannot provide us security than we can't help," Cardoso said.
The shack owners, however, has said that the law enforcement authority should not allow the hotels to hold parties on the beach in the name of traditional celebrations. "If there is ban, it should be for all. We won't tolerate hotels organizing parties on the beach," he said.
Interestingly, the hotel and restaurant owners have welcomed the state government's decision without any complaint.
"This is a good decision. The security of the state cannot be compromised," Goa Hotels and Restaurant owners association spokesman Gaurish Dhond said.
The hotels are not worried as the parties inside hotels do not come in the purview of ban. "It will not affect us much.. All hotels are gearing up to have their own celebrations," Dhond added.