Digital Goa, May 31 – Veteran shack owner and office bearer of Shack Owners Association of Goa John Lobo has alleged that the Tourism department officials are harassing Goan shack owners who are not paying them bribes. There is a designated place called ‘sopo’ where shack owners are called to pay bribes. Those who fail to pay are harassed by pointing out minor discrepancies. There has been no action even after complaining to the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, he added. Non Goan shack owners are given special treatment because they come with “briefcases”, he alleged. All the shacks which are sealed on the orders of High Court are in a tight spot as the licence validity of shacks ends today and no one knows when the shacks will be unsealed, Lobo said. “If the shacks are not dismantled immediately we will be fined by the department and there is also risk of spoiling of equipment in the rains”, he said.
