The residents of Cana Benaulim village in South Goa have now formally resolved to ban outsiders or migrants from setting up businesses or any tourism-centric dealings in the village jurisdiction. This move comes in the wake of villagers suggesting that there is a lack of industry alternatives and business opportunities for the youth here. Another reason cited for such a ban is law and order issues.

Recently, the Gram Sabha of Cana Benaulim village Panchayat passed a resolution after reports of tension between the locals and migrants started to increase, and resolved to put a ban on granting licenses to migrants for running businesses.

The resolution states that the interest of locals in traditional coastal occupations and services like shack operations, fishing, garment and jewellery business, tourist taxi operations, salons and massage parlours, restaurant business, etc. should be protected and that others should not be allowed to operate or run such businesses directly or indirectly here.
Reportedly, the tension between local residents and migrants, particularly with the members of the Banjara community, started in December last year. Later, it caught momentum during the ongoing international tourism season, which began in October. Because of the same reason, the village panchayat resolved to ban the Banjaras from carrying out any business activities in its jurisdiction last year.

However, the latest resolution claims that an increase in the number of in-migration has also led to changing the village's demography, thereby burdening its limited infrastructure. The resolution further states that the uncontrolled migration needs to be checked immediately through lawful means by the Goa Government and Panchayat, while also accusing the migrants of allegedly indulging in illegal activities.