Goa govt debars foreigners from working at beach shacks

PANAJI: Goa Government on Wednesday approved the Beach Shack Policy debarring foreigners from managing or working at these restaurants on beaches, and also extending the renewal period of licences from one to three years.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced the details of the Policy, after the state Cabinet gave its approval. The framework has effected a string of changes in licencing shacks, typically set up on beaches during tourist season.

Parrikar stated that foreign nationals cannot own, manage or even work at these facilities, irrespective of the type of visa they are holding.

The BJP government has also adopted a mechanism to ensure that foreigners do not sub-let shacks. The shack licenses can now be renewed after three years instead on yearly basis as has been the case, under the policy, Parrikar said.

State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said licenses will be given mainly to those who have fairly long experience in running them. "In total, 90 per cent of licences would be given to the experienced people on three-year basis while 10 per cent would be for new entrants.

"Of total 90 per cent, 60 per cent (allocation) is for those who have experience of at least seven years or more while 20 per cent allocation will be for those whose experience ranges between five to seven years," the minister said, adding that remaining 20 per cent allocation will be reserved for those whose experience is up to five years.

Parulekar said CCTV cameras have been made mandatory in all shacks. The cameras should record footage for 30 days and the shack-owner should provide it to the agencies concerned whenever asked for, he added.