Team Herald
MARGAO: Shack owners have urged the government to take strict action against subletting the beach huts, holding this practice responsible for the rising crime on Goa’s beaches.
Cruz Cardozo, president of the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), stated that at least 35% of the 361 licensed beach shacks in Goa have been sublet to operators from outside the State. He claimed that these non-Goan operators are linked to violent incidents, including recent murders, petty crimes, and other unlawful activities that have tarnished the State's tourism image. Cardozo warned that if such activities continue, Goa’s tourism sector—particularly the shack business—will suffer severe consequences.
“We have informed Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte that we are willing to provide details of all sublet shacks. There are around 30-35% of such cases, and many of them are involved in illegal activities. This must stop immediately,” Cardozo told reporters after a meeting with Khaunte. He emphasised that crime along the coastline was almost unheard of when Goans exclusively ran shacks, adding that those involved in subletting should be investigated and held accountable.
Cardozo argued that shack allottees who sublet their businesses are ultimately responsible for the surge in illegal activities. He pointed out that the recent assaults and murders were committed by employees of sublet shacks, dealing a severe blow to Goa’s tourism industry.
The delegation of shack operators assured the Minister of their full cooperation in any enforcement measures. “We don’t want shacks to be sublet. That is why we have urged the minister to act against all violators without delay,” he said.
SOWS secretary John Lobo provided specific figures, stating that nine shacks at Arambol beach, ten at Candolim, and one at Tivai Vaddo, Calangute, have been sublet. He reaffirmed that the association fully supports the government’s efforts to crack down on illegal shack operations.
The shack owners’ appeal comes in the wake of growing concerns over safety and lawlessness on Goa’s beaches following the recent murder of a local resident at Arambol after a scuffle with staff of a shack that was illegally sublet.
Shacks to close by 11 pm,
no loud music after 10 pm
The Tourism Department has issued a circular directing shacks to comply with the Noise Pollution Rules issued by the Central Pollution Control Board - which prohibits playing loud music between 10 pm and 6 am. Pulling up shack operators for playing loud music, creating a disturbance to neighbours and not adhering to timings, the circular stressed that any music played in a shack should only be audible within the shack, and that shacks can only operate from 7 am to 11 pm. The missive warned that shack allottees who violate these rules shall be penalised as per the Goa State Shack Policyy 2023-26.
Following two recent murders involving shack employees, the State government has decided to introduce stricter regulations, including mandatory police verification for all shack and adventure sports workers. It also plans to issue ID cards with QR codes to staff for better identification of the workforce. Additionally, authorities are exploring the possibility of limiting the total number of beach beds to 150-200 across North and South Goa while implementing uniform pricing for water sports activities.