PANJIM: The Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) Goa filed an intervention application to the writ petition filed by five shack operators, who have challenged the new State Shack Policy 2023-26.
Five shack operators ShitalParab, KritikaFadte, Austin D’Costa, KapilMulgaonkar and Sanjay Chari had filed a writ petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa praying for removal of the experience criteria and to allot shack licences by drawing lots from the eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of experience in the field of erecting shacks in the previous years.
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SOWS president Cruz Cardozo who has filed the intervention application has defended the new State Shack Policy 2023-26 approved by the government.
The High Court has allowed the intervention application and has posted the matter for hearing on Monday. November 1.
However, the five petitioner have prayed that the government be directed to immediately withdraw Clause 9 of the Policy along with its explanation (experience criteria) for granting of permission for erection of temporary shacks as it is violative of Article 14, 19 (1) (G) and 21 of the Constitution of India.
In the revised Goa State Shack Policy for erection of temporary seasonal shacks for the current tourist season, the Department of Tourism had put experience criteria, wherein 10 per cent of the total shacks be will be allotted to those applicants who are without experience, 10 per cent to those having minimum of one year and maximum four years of experience and 80 per cent of the total shacks to those having five years and above experience.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism has received about 1,200 applications to erect shacks for the current tourist season. The department has also increased the number of shacks from 359 to 364. The draw of lots for allotment of shacks is scheduled on November 3.
