MARGAO: The Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society (GSOWS) has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Tourism Department, outlining their suggestions for the upcoming shack policy. Their primary objective is to safeguard the interests of experienced and local shack operators in Goa.
Recognizing that most of Goa’s beaches have reached their carrying capacity, the GSOWS emphasized the need for careful consideration before allowing new or additional shacks. They proposed that licences for beach shacks should be allocated exclusively to traditional shack owners, valid for one year only. The allocation for subsequent years should be based on fresh draws, with 90% reserved for experienced traditional shack owners and 10% for newcomers.
President of GSOWS, Cruz Cardozo, stated that 50% of the shack licenses should be designated for traditional shack owners with a minimum of 10 years of experience, while 30% should be allocated to operators with 5-9 years of experience. The remaining 10% would be reserved for those who have been operating a shack for 1-4 years. They insisted that the grading system remain frozen, disallowing new entrants or upgrading from lower-to-upper grades.
The GSOWS stressed the importance of maintaining fairness and experience in future allotments, urging the formation of a working group to scrutinize and monitor shack operations. They requested that allotments be finalized by August 5, allowing successful applicants enough time to comply with licensing agreements and environmental regulations.
To streamline the permissions required from multiple government departments, the GSOWS called for the creation of a single window clearance system within the Tourism Department. They also suggested that shack erection/trade licenses be paid directly to the respective panchayats or municipalities.
Among their other demands, they sought a ban on sub-leasing and foreigners running or operating shacks. They requested a reduction in the cost of application forms from Rs 9,000 to Rs 1,500, accompanied by justifications for each demand.
Furthermore, the GSOWS insisted on the establishment of a non-biased appeal committee to provide an opportunity for applicants whose license applications have been rejected. They recommended that the employment status of the applicant’s family should not be a determining factor for obtaining a license.
The GSOWS also called for transparency in the shack allotment process, requesting the Tourism Department to display the site plan for shacks before finalizing the allotments. They emphasized the need for demarcated areas for swimming and water sports, separate from other activities.
