Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The future of 40 beach shacks in the Calangute-Candolim beach belt remains undecided, as authorities have yet to determine the status of those who did not open their shacks last season despite being granted licenses, according to stakeholders.
Due to delayed allotments and a late start to the season last year, approximately 20 per cent of the 200 beach shack owners in the area chose not to commence operations, fearing financial losses. Some owners did not open their shacks even after erecting them.
Under the beach shacks policy, the licenses of these owners are subject to cancellation, with the shacks potentially being reallocated to other eligible applicants.
According to Manuel Cardozo, president of the Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association, he was informed by the Tourism Department that the applications for renewal have been sent to the cabinet for a decision.
The previous season faced delays as several petitions were filed in the High Court challenging the categories and eligibility of shack owners, resulting in shacks only opening in December. This year, the tourism department has already renewed licenses for approximately 150 beach shacks that operated last season. The remaining 40 shacks are now awaiting a government decision.
Stakeholders have expressed concerns that any move to bypass the provisions of the beach shacks policy could lead to further legal challenges.