The Department of Tourism has taken strict action against Shack No. 4 at Arambol Beach, cancelling its license after a report from Mandrem Police Station on January 27, 2025. The shack’s allottee, Manuel Espritosanto Fernandes, was found guilty of subletting the shack, a violation of Clause 20 of the Tourism Shack Policy. This serious breach prompted immediate action to uphold the integrity of Goa’s tourism regulations.
As a penalty, the Department has imposed a fine of INR 25,00,000 on Fernandes and forfeited his security deposit. Additionally, his shack license stands cancelled, and he has been ordered to demolish the structure within seven days. If he fails to comply, the government will carry out the demolition at his cost, recovering expenses as arrears of land revenue.
Beyond the financial penalty, Fernandes has been permanently blacklisted from Goa’s future shack allotment processes. This ensures that violators of tourism policies do not benefit from future opportunities. The blacklisting serves as a warning to other shack owners to comply with regulations or face severe consequences.
The Department of Tourism remains committed to transparency and strict enforcement of policies to maintain the credibility of Goa’s beach tourism. By taking firm action against violations, the government aims to preserve fairness, accountability, and proper management of Goa’s shack allotment system, ensuring a well-regulated tourism sector.
