The state shack policy is expected to be finalised within the next ten days. The number of shacks may be the same although there have been demands from many MLAs asking for an increased number of shacks in their respective areas.

While the Goa Shack Owners Association had requested the Tourism Minister to hasten the licencing procedure, licences are expected to be issued by the end of September.

A Gomantak Times editorial calls for the abolishing of yearly licenses for shacks to "spare shack owners the heartburn". Instead, the editorial proposes 5-year terms for shacks issued by the local panchayats.

While we understand the need to have a cap on the number of shacks that can be erected on the beach, we do not find any merit in transferring the power to give licenses to the Toursim Department.

Officals of the department might argue that if this power is transferred to the panchayats it could result in total chaos on the beaches. Our reply to this charge is that it is already happening. Last year about 50 illegal shacks were errected on the Candolim and Calangute beaches alone.

The shack policy is nothing but an exercise in hypocrisy and the sooner it is scrapped the better.

Calling the exercise of licencing a pretence at equitable distribution, the editorial argues, the same owners and the same names are seen every year.

It concludes:

The licence raj was demolished in the country long ago. It is time Goa follows suit.