The ban on beach parties for a period covering Christmas and New Year by the state government has dampened the spirits of shack owners.
PANAJI: The ban on beach parties for a period covering Christmas and New Year by the state government has dampened the spirits of shack owners who run their make-shift restaurants and earn livelihoods on Goa's sandy shores.
"Almost 70 to 80 per cent of our business was dependent on Christmas and New Year parties. With the state government banning them, we are left in lurch," Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society President Cruz Cardoso said.
Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat had announced on Saturday that beach parties would be banned from December 23 to January 5.
The state government has permitted 305 shacks dotting the state's 105 km-long coastline to operate, with most of these palm-thatched structures clustered 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 now face huge financial loss. If there are no Christmas and New Year parties than we will not have any customers visiting beaches," Cardoso said.
Shack owners usually organise parties with a local DJ playing the music and food and liquor served on the beach.
Despite huge dent in their business, 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, have said law enforcement authorities should also not allow 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 organising parties on beaches," Cardoso said.
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 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.
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