THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Amidst the ongoing monsoon season, the Tourism Department has invited applications for the placement of deck beds, umbrellas, tables and chairs on beaches across the State.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Department invited applications from eligible private shack operators as well as registered hotels and restaurants for permission to place deck beds and related beach furniture from July 1 to September 30, in accordance with the prevailing Goa State Shack Policy.
The notification mentions that applications will be accepted from licensed private shack operators and from hotels and restaurants registered with the Tourism Department, or those that have applied for registration under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982. Such establishments must have private property sharing its western boundary with the government beach.
The department has made it clear that permissions will be granted only within demarcated areas approved by the authorities and subject to factors such as space availability, site conditions and the presence of green vegetation. Applications from establishments found encroaching on government beach land will not be considered.
Officials further said the placement of deck beds, umbrellas, tables, and chairs must not obstruct the free movement of tourists or interfere with the work of lifeguards, beach-cleaning personnel and law-enforcement agencies.
Under the conditions laid down, all furniture must remain within the approved area and below the High Tide Line restrictions. Operators will also be required to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards and remove all structures immediately after the licence period expires.
Each authorised deck-bed set will have to display the licence number issued by the department.
The department has reserved the right to revoke permissions at any stage in the event of non-compliance or if required by a government decision.
Application forms will be available at the Department of Tourism’s Regional Facilitation Centres and on its website from June 22 to July 3, with a warning that incomplete applications or those failing to meet prescribed conditions will be rejected.
Applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs 10,000, a licence fee of Rs 56,000 plus applicable taxes, a Goa Electronics Ltd processing fee of Rs 11,000 and, in the case of new applicants, a security deposit of Rs 50,000. The Tourism Department will conduct site inspections and verification before granting final permissions.
