Panaji: The Tourism Department on Wednesday permanently blacklisted Pernem resident and shack allottee Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes for allegedly sub-letting the shack that was allotted to him at Arambol to a third person.
“Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes, r/o Girkarwada, Arambol, Pernem, Goa, is permanently blacklisted and shall be debarred from participating in the Tourism Shack Policy to be formulated by the Department of Tourism in future,” said the order issued by Tourism Director Kedar Naik.
The Tourism Department has cancelled the shack license allotted to Fernandes and imposed a penalty of Rs 25 lakh on him. Additionally, the security deposit paid by Fernandes shall be forfeited to the government treasury.
The Department has also directed him to demolish the beach shack within seven days, failing which it shall be demolished by the department at the cost and risk of the beach shack allottee.
The action has been taken based on the report submitted to Tourism Department by Mandrem Police Inspector who during the investigation into a crime found that Fernandes had sublet the beach shack no 4 allotted to him a Himachal Pradesh native Lalchand Chauhan.
The Mandrem Police Inspector had requested to cancel the shack license No (SHACKS)/2024-25/GSHN001394 dated August 14, 2024.
“The Goa State Shack Policy for Erection of Temporary Seasonal Structures, Beach Shacks, Deck Beds/ Umbrellas, For Tourist Season 2023-26 (3 years) in Clause 20 “Breach of Terms under this Policy and associated Penalties for Beach Shacks”, lays down penalty for sub-lease of beach shacks,” said the order.
“Upon examining the report dated January 27 from the Police Inspector, Mandrem Police Station, the undersigned is satisfied that this is a fit case for imposing the penalties as laid down in Clause 20 of the Goa State Shack Policy for Erection of Temporary Seasonal Structures, Beach Shacks, Deck Beds/ Umbrellas, For Tourist Season 2023-26 (3 years), since it is evident that Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes shack allottee No 4 at Arambol beach stretch, has sublet the beach shack,” the order said.
Khaunte announces crackdown on subleasing of beach shacks
Panaji: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday said that Tourism Department will crack down on sub-leasing of shacks.
Khaunte also said that the mapping of beach shacks right from Mandrem to Calangute to South Goa has already begun and the enforcement drive will start immediately.
“We will not tolerate that a Goan takes a shack licence and sublets it. Enforcement would be done to ensure that shacks remain with Goans only,” said Khaunte. He pointed out that shacks are sublet without any documentation.
“Unless we get any information on this we will not be able to act. Using technology we will go to the next level and ensure that every shack is monitored and checked,” he said adding that the Tourism Director has been asked to start taking action on shacks that are sublet.Stating that the Tourism Director has issued an order on the shack allottee who had sub-let his shack, Khaunte said, “He has been imposed a fine of Ra 25 lakh, his licence has been cancelled, he has been blacklisted and he will never be a part of these lots. Same rule will be applicable to everyone.”
Khaunte also informed that shack associations have assured the Department to support in the crackdown.
