the goan I network
PANAJI
The much anticipated policy of the Tourism Department for allocation of shacks on beaches across Goa’s coastline to locals for business in the upcoming season was on Friday approved by the Goa Cabinet with a huge advantage to those traditionally in the business for long.
According to the policy, those in the beach shack business for several years will be given preference for allocation and licences will be for 10 years, five years and one year depending on the seniority of the allottees.
The issue of beach shack allotment by the tourism department gets shrouded with controversy in the monsoon period preceding the start of the new season every year. Last year, the allotment process was completed well into the second month after the start of the season.
Over a decade ago, after multiple proceedings and orders of the courts, the Tourism Department was mandated to formulate a policy for allotment of shacks whose numbers were to be finalised on the basis of an environment impact assessment of the each beach’s carrying capacity.
Certain beaches known to be frequented by the endangered Olive Ridley turtles for nesting were identified and no shacks were allowed there.
However, for several years now, the Tourism Department was following an adhoc policy for the shack allocation without any firm policy document being put in place.
Meanwhile, the policy also includes a multiple fee structure for the licences based on categories and shack operators who are in the business for a decade and more are entitled to 50% of the number of shacks available
for allocation.
