Panaji: The Goa Human Rights Commission on Monday said that residents of Saldana Kieran Park, a residential complex at Calangute, faced human rights violations due to the unauthorised commercial use of apartments for daily tourist rentals.The commission recommended that the tourism director seal flats being used for commercial purposes within 30 days. It also said that, before any flat is registered under Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982, owners must submit proof that their respective electricity connections are classified as commercial rather than domestic.The commission said that Calangute panchayat must strictly enforce the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, to prevent commercial activities in residential complexes. It also directed police to respond to residents’ complaints and ensure there are no violations or illegal activities such as drug use and prostitution in the complex.Residents told the commission that families, including women, children and senior citizens, live in fear and insecurity because some flats are being rented out on short-term basis. They said complaints submitted to Calangute panchayat, police and other authorities had led to threats against them. Of the 156 flats in the complex, around 46 are rented to tourists, with some units accommodating more than 10 people at a time.The panchayat said it issued a notice in Aug to office-bearers of the welfare association over the unauthorised use of residential flats for tourist rentals.The notice cited disturbance to residents and concerns over safety and illegal activities. The panchayat directed that daily rentals stop within seven days and said it had not granted permission for commercial activities in the premises.In its submission to the commission, the tourism department said eight units in the complex are registered as guesthouses or hotels. It also said no new registration, or renewal of an existing one, would be granted under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982, without a no-objection certificate from more than 50% of residents of the housing society.In a letter to the Calangute police inspector in Sept, the panchayat stated that the project is residential and that it had not issued any no-objection certificate for guesthouses or other commercial activities. It said some flats continued to operate as guesthouses despite earlier notices, and asked the police to take action.The commission observed that the rights of the complainants and other residents had been violated because public authorities failed to protect their rights to life, liberty, equality and dignity. It said Calangute panchayat, the tourism department and police had failed to prevent these violations.
