Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: After noticing the violations of the Goas state shack policy 2023-26, the Department of Tourism has cracked the whip against the violators leading to orders issued to 23 shack operators to close down their shack.
The department, after taking cognizance of the reports of illegal subletting had carried out a thorough inspection drive across beach shacks. Based on the reports of the inspection drive, a total of 110 showcause notices were issued to the violators out of which, 54 proceedings have been concluded. Out of this, 31 notices were disposed of as no violations were noticed while 23 operators were directed to close down their shacks. Among those required to shut down, 6 were Non-Goans.
It may be recalled that in the wake of allegations regarding subletting, the government had formulated the Goa Shack Policy 2023-26, well in advance before the tourist season commenced. After extensive consultation with stakeholders including shack operators and concerned associations to uphold transparency and fairness in the process.
The Department issued an order terminating the shack license allotted to the concerned operator. During inspections, it was found that POS/UPI payments at the Beach Shack were conducted under the name of individuals who were not the original allottees and had no blood relation with them. Specifically, payments were linked to Shri Shekappa Lamani (instead of Shri Joaqim Lobo), Shri Amit Mahaldar (instead of Smt Mathias Rodrigues), Shri Ajit Pyarelal Gupta (instead of Smt Sareeta Martha Lobo E Rodrigues), Shri Anant Bir Bahadur Chettri (instead of Smt Mangal Shankar Desai), Shri Krishna Lal (instead of ShriOut of a total of 110 notices issued, 54 cases have completed the hearing process. Of these, 31 cases were dropped, while 23 operators were directed to close down their shacks. Among those required to shut down, six were non-Goans. Arun Mahadev Satelkar), and Shri Deneti Kumar (instead of Dhaktu Sadashiv Naik). Additionally, there was placement of deckbeds without license numbers painted on them, and no GST registration was found.
As a result, the Department issued an order terminating the shack license allotted to the concerned operators, directing the immediate cessation of all activities conducted by the allottee under the Goa State Shack Policy 2023-2026, forfeiting the security deposit submitted by the allottee to the Government Treasury, and instructing the allottee to remove the Beach Shack within 15 days from the date of the order.
In ensuring procedural fairness, personal hearings were granted to all concerned parties before finalizing any decisions. The Department of Tourism remains committed to promoting a transparent and well-regulated tourism environment that aligns with the Shack Policy. These steps have been taken to maintain the integrity of Goa’s vibrant tourism sector and ensure a fair operating environment for all stakeholders.
