The Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society (GSOWS) has expressed satisfaction after their concerns were acknowledged and met with assurances at a stakeholder meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The Society, which had submitted a detailed memorandum at the meeting, said they were hopeful that the government would act on the commitments made and bring relief to shack operators ahead of the upcoming season.
“We had a very fruitful meeting with the Chief Minister, Tourism Minister and bureaucrats,” said Cruz Cardozo, GSOWS President.
Among the key issues raised was the absence of a genuine single-window clearance system. Shack owners currently navigate multiple departments for routine permissions related to excise, electricity, water and pollution clearances, often leading to delays that disrupt the short seasonal window in which they operate. GSOWS requested that all these licences and utility connections remain valid for the entire tourism policy period, rather than requiring annual renewal.
They also highlighted the lack of sewage disposal infrastructure along several beach stretches, which they warned poses a serious public health and environmental threat. The growing stray dog menace was flagged as another concern, with calls for urgent sterilisation and vaccination programmes to ensure tourist safety.
The illegal subletting of shacks to non-Goans was cited as a practice that undermines the state’s shack policy. The Society demanded stricter enforcement and inspections to prevent misuse of licences and ensure that the benefits of the policy remain with local operators. In addition, shack owners asked the government to ensure equitable access to electricity and water connections, pointing out that some licensed shack locations continue to face serious supply challenges.
Referring to delays that occurred last season, GSOWS requested that shack owners who could not obtain all necessary departmental clearances due to factors beyond their control be pardoned or subjected to only nominal penalties. They also called for a complete ban on beach hawkers and vendors, stating that unregulated selling and tourist harassment were damaging Goa’s image and affecting the operations of licensed businesses.
Additional proposals included rationalising electricity tariffs to reflect industrial rather than temporary commercial use, permitting mezzanine floors with height restrictions at government-allocated shack sites, eliminating redundant charges, and allowing small functions to be hosted at shack locations without excessive red tape. Visa delays, they said, were deterring international travellers and needed urgent attention.
Following their presentation, the CM assured the group that several of their demands were already being considered. He confirmed that the government plans to extend the validity of permissions issued by the Pollution Control Board, water and electricity departments to three years—one of the key requests made by the Society. Sawant also said broader reforms to improve the licensing process and curb illegal touting would be taken up during the upcoming Assembly session.
GSOWS said they have got renewed hope, especially as some of their key proposals are already finding traction at the policy level. They expressed confidence that timely action by the government would help ensure a smooth start to the next tourist season.