The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026 passed in the Goa Legislative Assembly
The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides for mandatory registration of shacks on private land, says Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte
Panaji, September 02, 2026: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill was introduced in the House by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte.
With the passing of the Bill, it will be mandatory for shacks on private land to obtain registration from the Tourism Department.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said, “Total private shacks under CRZ area are roughly about 742, and roughly about 290 are registered with the Department. Overall, around 450 shacks are currently not registered with Goa Tourism operating and giving tourism services like all the 290 shacks but not registered with the Department. So we are getting them under same EODB which we have done. The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides for mandatory registration of shacks on private land.”
The Minister said that when private shacks are being set up, certain criterions have to be introduced to ensure the safety of the tourists.
“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,” Khaunte said.
The Minister said that the beach shacks in Goa are a major tourist attraction and play a vital role in the tourism economy of the State. Currently, section 13A of the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Goa Act 10 of 1982) contains rigid statutory provisions regarding the eligibility, duration and selection process for issuance of shack licenses, which restricts the flexibility required to adapt to changing dynamics, economic shifts and environmental standards of successive tourism seasons. The said provision does not expressly provide for a statutory framework enabling the Government to formulate and notify a comprehensive Shack Policy from time to time, including determination of the period for which such licences may remain valid.
He said, “In order to streamline the regular administration of shack allotments and ensure rapid execution of updates, the Government formulates comprehensive Beach Shack Policy from time to time. It is therefore considered necessary to amend section 13A of the said Act, so as to expressly provide for grant of a licence for a beach shack for tourist seasons as notified by the Government vide Shack Policy, subject to compliance with the Act, the rules made thereunder and the Shack Policy notified by the Government from time to time.”
The Bill provides statutory support to the Beach Shack Policy. The Bill also provides mandate for registration of temporary shacks in private property within CRZ area, subject to approvals from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, concerned Village Panchayat or Municipality, etc along with the revision of penalties for default in registration of any tourist trade activity.
