Ahead of the new tourism season slated to commence in October, the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet will discuss the Beach Shack Policy for 2019-2022 this week. “In the next cabinet meeting, which is expected to take place this week, a note will come up for clearing the shack policy,” said Michael Lobo, Tourism Minister and Calangute MLA.
He was speaking to mediapersons after leading a delegation of All Goa Shack Owners Association before the Chief Minister at Altinho on Wednesday.
He stated that the CM has assured allotment of shacks before September-end. “He has promised to allot the shacks before September-end. The shack operators have also placed before him several difficulties they face regarding the significant increase in shack fees. They also spoke about the confusion regarding the extension of turtle nesting sites. Various other matters pertaining to the reservation on the allotment of shacks was also discussed with the CM,” Lobo added. The shack operators had earlier met Tourism Minister Manohar Ajagonkar with the same demands. The minister had last week assured to finalize the shack policy in the next cabinet meeting as the validity of 2016-19 policy ended. “Before setting up the structures, the policy needs to be in place and it will be finalised in the next cabinet meeting,” said an official, while adding, “the allotment of shacks and issuance of licences will be complete before the onset of the tourist season.”
The department has been stressing on fitting safety measures like CCTVs and fire extinguishers besides setting up bio-chemical toilets and ensuring proper segregation of waste.
