Goa government's policy brings beach shack owners together

The Goa government has finally managed to bring together various beach shack associations which had differed in their views together, to endorse its recently announced beach shack policy.
Beach shack associations met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar here today and pledged their support for the policy, with certain amendments in terms of allocation of shack licences.
Representatives of the Goa Shack Owners' Association and The Goan Traditional Shack Owners' Association (TGTSOA) met Parrikar and suggested a slight amendment to the policy, which provides long term shack licences in the state.
The beach shack eateries and restaurants are set up as temporary structures which are dismantled after the annual tourism season gets over.

The new beach shack policy which was approved by the Goa cabinet on Wednesday provides the licences for three years as against the annual licencing procedure.
"Though there are certain apprehensions in the minds of shack owners, overall, they are happy about the policy," Calangute MLA Michael Lobo told reporters, after the meeting with the Goa chief minister.

He said that all legislators representing coastal constituencies would hold meetings with the chief minister and Goa tourism minister Dilip Parulekar tomorrow to decide on modifications suggested by shack owners.
TGTSOA president Manuel Cardoso told reporters that 90 per cent of licences being reserved for experienced shack owners is a welcome step, but there must be proper distribution of licences depending on experience.

"Of the total 90 per cent, around 30 percent should be set aside for three-year long licences," he said, adding that they have submitted the proposal to the chief minister.