Goa makes registration mandatory for private beach shacks in CRZ areas

The Goa Assembly has passed a bill requiring operators of temporary shacks on private property in coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas to register them with the state tourism department.

Under the amendment, any person intending to operate a temporary shack on private property within a CRZ area will have to apply for registration in the prescribed manner and pay fees notified by the government from time to time.

The bill empowers the government to frame rules specifying the procedure for such registration and the fees payable.

Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte moved the bill in the assembly on the last day of the monsoon session on Wednesday, and it was passed by voice vote.

The government has proposed a three-season Beach Shack Policy under which licences for beach shacks on designated beaches would initially be granted for one tourist season and renewed twice for the remaining two seasons.

If eligible applications exceed the number of shacks permitted on a beach, allotment would be decided through a draw of lots.

The government, in its statement of objects and reasons, said beach shacks are a major tourist attraction and an important part of the tourism economy, and that the existing law was rigid in areas such as eligibility, duration and selection.

Khaunte said there are as many as 742 private shacks in CRZ areas, of which about 290 are currently registered with the tourism department, while nearly 450 are operating without registration.

"There have been instances where huts were put up in the name of shacks. The amendment is being done mainly to ensure that we promote private shacks in the right manner," he said.

The bill also provides for tougher action against unregistered tourism businesses.

The penalty for default in registration can go up to ₹1 lakh, with penal interest of ₹500 per day for the first 30 days and ₹1,000 per day thereafter.

Authorities can also seal business premises and order disconnection of water and electricity in case of non-payment.

For unauthorised beach shacks or violations of the licence or Beach Shack Policy, the penalty can extend to ₹20 lakh, while the shack can be demolished and its material confiscated without prior notice at the operator's risk and cost.