Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major relief to the shack owners, the government has decided to extend the validity of beach shack licences by one year in view of losses they incurred due to Covid-19 pandemic, during last three seasons.
The three-year validity of the beach shack policy ended in May this year.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte informed that the government has taken decision to extend the validity of the existing shack licences by one more year.
He said that the decision was taken in consultation with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“The beach shack operators had approached us with the request to grant two years extension. But for now, we have extended the licence period by one year. We will go for a fresh policy next season,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Shack Owners Welfare Society welcomed the government’s decision to extend the validity to shack licences by a year.
All Goa Shack Owners’ Welfare Society President Cruz Cardozo said, “We welcome the government decision. We had asked for two years extension but happy that we got for one-year atleast.”
“We welcome the decision. Our people have suffered lot of losses due to Covid-19 pandemic. Many had even paid the fees but could not erect shacks.We thank the government,” said John Lobo, secretary, Goa Shack Owners’ Welfare Society.
