PANAJI
The State government has decided to proceed with the 2023-26 shack policy, with slight modifications to accommodate the demands of shack owners who earlier demanded to return to the previous policy.
As per the decision, instead of the previous 90-10 allocation, where experienced shack owners and newcomers were given their respective shares, the government will now allocate 10 per cent for inexperienced, another 10 per cent for those with 1-4 years of experience, and the remaining 80 per cent for those with 5 years or more of experience.
This significant decision was made in a crucial meeting led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday evening, which was attended by Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral, and other concerned government officials, as well as ‘ambassadors’ “ shack owners.
Confirming this development to The Goan, President of the All Goa Traditional Shack Owners Cruz Cardozo hailed the government, along with coastal MLAs, for their support.
In the decision, the government has also agreed to reduce the security deposit from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 1 lakh for A-category shacks and from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50,000 for B-category shacks. However, there have been no changes to the clause regarding the fine of Rs 25 lakh imposed on violators for subletting shacks.
Cardozo also revealed that the government agreed that more than one person from a family can apply for shacks, but only one allocation will be made per family.
On Friday, another crucial meeting with the Goa Pollution Control Board is scheduled with the shack owners.
