Approve shacks based on old site plan: CM to tourism dept

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant chaired a meeting on Thursday with the tourism department and traditional shack operators, after which he directed authorities to permit shack operators to erect the shacks based on the demarcation and site plan prepared in 2019.

The shack operators had requested Sawant for a meeting to discuss the delay in approvals for the shacks, whose start this season has been delayed by over two months. The delay has led to a loss of business for the shack operators, loss of revenue for the state while also sending a bad signal about the state’s readiness to host international tourists.

“The demarcation of shacks has been delayed, and the operators are upset. To avoid further delay, the decision has been taken to go ahead with the old demarcation,” said Sawant.

Sawant said that the environment and tourism departments have been directed to quickly grant approvals.

“Instructions have been given to the tourism department to proceed with last year’s plan and resolve the concerns by Thursday itself,” said the chief minister.

The shack operators were led by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who said that shacks should be allowed to start operations without any hassles within eight days.

“The shack operators are paying the same licence amount to the government, but no department will reduce the payment, whether it is tourism, FDA or excise because of the two-month delay,” said Lobo.

Shack operators said that it takes around 15 days to set up a shack along Goa’s beaches, and they said that it is unlikely that any shack will start operations before November end.

“The foreign tourists were asking where to sit or sleep. This sends a wrong signal internationally that if you come to Goa you don’t get sun beds. The minister concerned has also aware of the situation. It cannot be that every year we have a problem,” said Lobo.

The demarcation of shacks has been inordinately delayed this year due to the flip-flops in the shack policy formulation. The shack operators have yet to be granted consent to establish and consent to operate by the Goa State Pollution Control Board and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The delay of shacks also affects the placement of beach beds or deck beds and tables along the beach that foreigners prefer to use while sunbathing.