PANAJI
Days after the Tourism Department addressed the matter related to age restrictions, the Goa Shack Policy 2023-26 is once again facing severe criticism with its ‘ambassadors’ -- shack operators -- objecting to various clauses that were introduced without their knowledge.
Among numerous policy decisions, objections have been raised against substantial changes such as an increase in security deposit to Rs 2 lakh, higher annual fee licenses across all shack categories, and a five-fold penalty increase for subletting shacks, etc.
The Traditional Shack Owners Society asserted that its members were not consulted on any of these decisions. President of the Association Cruz Cardozo expressed dismay, lamenting that shack owners were not consulted by the government at any phase of the decision-making process.
“We were only called regarding the age restrictions and that too, it was a last-minute call which did not give us time to prepare on the issue. Whatever we know is through media. The department has not sought our input either before or after coming up with these changes,” he said.
Cardozo further said the entire policy has left the shack owners stunned because it imposes a huge financial burden and makes things more challenging for them.
Moreover, the five-fold increase in penalties for subletting the shacks has also drawn criticism from the operators as they argue that the government should have specified prohibiting subletting to outsiders.
Cardozo questioned the clause stating if the government aims to encourage Goan youth and the unemployed to enter this business, what the need for this condition was.
“What if someone who has won the bid wishes to sublet to a fellow Goan who didn’t secure the bid? Shouldn’t we support one another within the Goan community,” he questioned, reiterating that government should have restricted subletting to outsiders only.
Another contentious clause suggests that if a shack operator passes away, their legal heirs will not be eligible to continue the business and the applicant on the waiting list will be eligible. In response to this, the association pointed out that the government is contradicting its own stated goal of encouraging families of shack owners to carry on the legacy in the business.
As per the policy, if the annual beach shack fees are remitted to the department and the shack is not erected, the fees shall be refunded to the legal heir of the deceased shack allottee and the shack will be allotted to the next waiting list applicant.
“If the fees are remitted and the shack is erected, upon request of the legal heir of the deceased shack allottee, the legal heir shall be allowed to operate the shack for the said tourist season and from the next tourist season, the shack will be allotted to the next waiting list applicant. If the fees are not remitted, the shack allotment shall be cancelled and the shack will be allotted to the waitlisted applicant,” the policy adds.
The Goa Electronics Limited’s role has also come under criticism for its delayed services. According to the shack association, it charged an application fee of Rs 13,000 and yet failed to provide the No Objection Certificate copy to applicants during the last tourist season. “We operated based on the provisional license,” he added.
