The Goa Tourism Department has adopted a more lenient approach toward certain shack operators previously penalized for subletting their establishments. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced that 17 out of 23 shacks, which had their licenses revoked for subletting, will now be permitted to operate until the end of the current tourist season. This concession applies specifically to those shacks sublet to fellow Goans. However, the six shacks that were sublet to non-Goans will remain closed, with their operators debarred and security deposits seized.
The decision follows the issuance of 110 show-cause notices by the department for violations of the Goa State Shack Policy 2023-26. Investigations revealed that in approximately 80% of these cases, the payment QR codes were linked to family members of the original allottees, leading to the reinstatement of their operating permissions. Minister Khaunte emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the shack business remains with traditional Goan operators and indicated that a final decision regarding subletting policies will be made after the season concludes.
Earlier this month, the department had ordered the immediate cessation of operations for the 23 shacks found in violation, instructing them to dismantle their structures within 15 days and barring them from operating until 2026. The six non-Goan sublessees identified were Amit Mahaldar, Ajit Pyarelal Gupta, Anant Bir Bahadur Chettri, Krishna Lal, and Deneti Kumar.
