Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026
RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410
Panaji, 09th September, 2026 (Bhadra 18, 1948) SERIES I No. 23
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
EXTRAORDINARY
No. 2
Goa Legislature Secretariat
LA/LEGN/2026/1646 The following bill which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa on 31st August, 2026 is hereby published for general information in pursuance of Rule-138 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
________
The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2026
(Bill No. 59 of 2026)
A
BILL
further to amend the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Act 10 of 1982).
BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Goa in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
1. Short title and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 2026.
(2) It shall come into force at once on such date as the Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Substitution of Section 13A.— In the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Goa Act 10 of 1982) (hereinafter referred to as the "principal Act"), for Section 13A, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
"13A. Licensing of beach shacks.— (1) Upon expiry of the licences granted by the prescribed authority for erection of beach shacks, the prescribed authority shall, through a public notice issued in the local newspapers having vide circulation in the State of Goa, call applications for erection of beach
Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected] 1239OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026 shacks, for three consecutive tourist seasons, on such beaches as specified by the Government in the Beach Shack Policy, from persons who are not employed or engaged, directly or indirectly, in any business, vocation or profession, such as tourist taxis, hotels, bars or restaurants, sale of handicrafts, souvenirs, toddy tapping, fishing or any other form of business not so specified.
"(2) On receipt of application under sub-section (1) the prescribed authority shall scrutinize it and if found in order, grant licence on such terms and conditions as may be specified in that behalf by charging prescribed fees for one tourist season, which shall thereafter be renewed twice on payment of such revised fees as prescribed, for the remaining two tourist seasons:
Provided that the Government may, upon being satisfied that there exists any reason which warrant grant of extension of the licence which is about to expire, by an Order in writing, direct the prescribed authority to extend such licence not exceeding for one tourist season.
(3) Where the number of eligible applicants are more than the number of beach shacks permitted on any particular beach, the selection shall be decided by draw of lots on such date and at such time as the prescribed authority may notify in this behalf.
(4) License shall be granted for putting up only one beach shack to a member of the family.
Explanation.— For the purpose of this sub-section, the word "family" shall include husband or wife, as the case may be, dependent parents and unmarried children.
(5) The grant of a licence under this section shall not confer upon the licensee any right, title or interest in or over the beach, Government land or any other public property and such license shall be subject to cancellation, suspension or revocation in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules made thereunder, the terms and conditions of the licence and the Beach Shack Policy as notified by the Government from time to time.
(6) The Government shall formulate and notify a Beach Shack Policy applicable for three consecutive tourist seasons for the purpose of regulation, allotment, erection and operation of beach shacks on the identified beaches and for matters connected therewith, including the eligibility of applicants, manner of allotment, number and location of beach shacks, fees, security deposit, terms and conditions of the licence and such other matters as may be necessary for giving effect to the purposes of this Section.
3. Insertion of a new Section 13C.— In the principal Act, after Section 13B, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
"13C. Registration of shacks in private property.— Any person intending to operate a temporary shack in a private property within CRZ area as per CRZ Notification shall apply for registration to the prescribed authority in such manner as prescribed and with such fees as notified by the Government from time to time."
4. Substitution of Section 22.— In the principal Act, for Section 22, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
"22. Penalty for default in registration.— (1) Any person carrying on the business of a dealer, hotel- keeper, private shack operator or travel agent or as mentioned in sub-section (1) of Section 19A, without proper registration under this Act or in violation of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, he shall be liable to pay penalty of such amount as may be imposed by the prescribed authority which may extend to rupees One lakh only.
(2) Where the person on whom the penalty is imposed under sub-section (1) does not within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order imposing such penalty, pay the amount, then such person shall be liable to pay, by way of penal interest, a sum of,—
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026(a) rupees five hundred only for each day for the first 30 days from the date of the expiry of the period of 30 days as aforesaid; and,
(b) rupees one thousand only for each day thereafter.
(3) In case of failure on the part of a dealer or hotel-keeper or private shack operator or travel agent to pay the penalty imposed under sub-section (1) and/or penal interest under sub-section (2), the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue, and the prescribed authority shall proceed to seal the business premises and order disconnection of water and electricity supply. The concerned Department shall be bound to comply such order within a period of four days from the date of its receipt. In case the seal affixed by the prescribed authority is tampered with or damaged, the dealer, hotel-keeper, private shack operator or travel agent, as the case may be, shall be liable to pay additional fine of rupees ten lakhs apart from further action under the provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Central Act 45 of 2023).
(4) Where any person erects beach shack and/or carries on activity therein, without obtaining a licence as required under Section 13A or in violation of the terms and conditions specified in the licence or the Beach Shack Policy, in addition to such action as may be provided under the Beach Shack Policy,—
(i) he shall be liable to pay penalty of such amount as may be imposed by the prescribed authority, which may extend to rupees twenty lakhs only;
(ii) the beach shack shall be liable for demolition and the material thereof confiscated, without any prior notice, shall be entirely at his risk and cost".
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
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.
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 proposed Bill seeks to provide statutory support to the Beach Shack Policy while ensuring that the allotment does not create any right, title or interest in the beach or Government land. The Bill also provides mandate for registration of temporary shacks in private property within CRZ area, subject to approvals from Goa Coastal Management Authority, concerned Village Panchayat/Municipality etc., alongwith revision of penalties for default in registration of any tourist trade activity.
The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
No Financial implications are involved in this Bill.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Clause 1(2) of the Bill empowers the State Government to issue a notification in the Official Gazette for bringing the Act into force.
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026Clause 2 of the Bill empowers the Government to frame rules for specifying the fees and the revised fees for renewal of license.
Clause 2 of the Bill empowers the Government to formulate and notify Beach Shack Policy.
Clause 3 of the Bill empowers the Government to frame rules for specifying the manner for registration to the prescribed authority and fees thereto.
These delegations are of normal character.
ROHAN KHAUNTE Minister for Tourism
Porvorim-Goa. 31st August, 2026.
NAMRATA ULMAN Secretary to the Legislative Assembly of Goa.
Assembly Hall, Porvorim, Goa. 31st August, 2026.
ANNEXURE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extract of Section 13A of The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Act No. 10 of 1982)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13A. Licensing of beach shacks.— (1) Before commencement of the tourist season, the prescribed authority shall, through a public notice issued in the local newspapers, call for applications for installation of beach shacks, on such beaches as may be notified by the Government, from persons who are not employed or engaged, directly or indirectly, in any business, vocation or profession, such as tourist taxis, hotels, bars or restaurants, sale of handicrafts, souvenirs, toddy tapping, fishing or any other form of business not so specified.
(2) On receipt of such applications, the prescribed authority shall scrutinize the applications, and if found in order, grant necessary license by charging prescribed fees and on such terms and conditions as maybe specified in this behalf.
(3) Where the number of eligible applicants are more than the number of beach shacks permitted on any particular beach, the selection shall be decided by draw of lots on such date and at such time as the prescribed authority may notify in this behalf.
(4) License shall be granted for putting up only one beach shack to a member of the family.
(5) Any person intending to erect a beach shack in private property shall, before he erects such shack, apply for registration to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner.
Explanation.— For the purpose of this section,―family shall include husband or wife, as the case may be, dependent parents and unmarried children, provided they figure in the same ration card as the applicant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extract of Section 22 of The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Act No. 10 of 1982)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Penalty for default in registration.— (1) Any person carrying on the business of a dealer, hotel- keeper or travel agent or as mentioned in sub-section (i) of Section 19A, without proper registration under this Act or in violation of any of the provisions of this Act or the Rules made thereunder shall be punishable by the prescribed authority with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/-.
(2) Where the person on whom the penalty of fine is imposed under sub-section (1) does not within 30 days from the date of the order imposing such penalty, pay the fine imposed, then such person shall be liable to pay, by way of penal interest, a sum of:—
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026(a) Rs. 100/- for each day for the first 30 days from the date of the expiry of the period of 30 days as aforesaid; and,
(b) Rs. 200/- for each day thereafter for a period of 15 days.
(3) "In case of failure on the part of a dealer, a hotel-keeper or travel agent to pay the fine imposed under sub-section (1) and/or penal interest under sub-section (2), the same shall be recovered as an arrears of land revenue, and the business shall be liable to be closed and the prescribed authority shall proceed to seal the business premises and order disconnection of water and electric connection. The concerned Department shall be bound to comply such order within a period of four days from the date of its receipt. In case the seal affixed by the prescribed authority is tampered with or damaged, the dealer, hotel-keeper or travel agent, as the case may be, shall be liable to pay additional fine of rupees ten lakhs apart from further action under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860)."
(4) Any person erecting beach shack and/or carrying on activity therein without obtaining a license as required under Section 13A of this Act, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 10,000/-, the beach shack shall be liable for demolition and the material thereof confiscated, without any prior notice, entirely at his risk and cost.
(5) Any person erecting beach shack and/or carrying on activities therein without proper registration as required under Section 13A (5), shall be punishable with fine of Rs. 1,000/- which may extend to Rs. 5,000/-.]
———♦♦♦———
Department of Law
Legal Affairs Division
Notification
7/18/2026-LA/169 Date : 09-Sep-2026 The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Goa Act 18 of 2026), which has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of Goa on 02/09/2026 and assented to by the Governor of Goa on 08/09/2026, is hereby published for the general information of the public.
Dnyaneshwar Raut Dessai, Joint Secretary (Law).
Porvorim.
---------
The Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 2026
(Goa Act 18 of 2026) [08-09-2026]
AN
ACT
further to amend the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Act 10 of 1982).
BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Goa in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
1. Short title and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 2026.
(2) It shall come into force at once on such date as the Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Substitution of Section 13A.— In the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 (Goa Act 10 of 1982) (hereinafter referred to as the "principal Act"), for Section 13A, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026"13A. Licensing of beach shacks.— (1) Upon expiry of the licences granted by the prescribed authority for erection of beach shacks, the prescribed authority shall, through a public notice issued in the local newspapers having vide circulation in the State of Goa, call applications for erection of beach shacks, for three consecutive tourist seasons, on such beaches as specified by the Government in the Beach Shack Policy, from persons who are not employed or engaged, directly or indirectly, in any business, vocation or profession, such as tourist taxis, hotels, bars or restaurants, sale of handicrafts, souvenirs, toddy tapping, fishing or any other form of business not so specified.
(2) On receipt of application under sub-section (1) the prescribed authority shall scrutinize it and if found in order, grant licence on such terms and conditions as may be specified in that behalf by charging prescribed fees for one tourist season, which shall thereafter be renewed twice on payment of such revised fees as prescribed, for the remaining two tourist seasons:
Provided that the Government may, upon being satisfied that there exists any reason which warrant grant of extension of the licence which is about to expire, by an Order in writing, direct the prescribed authority to extend such licence not exceeding for one tourist season.
(3) Where the number of eligible applicants are more than the number of beach shacks permitted on any particular beach, the selection shall be decided by draw of lots on such date and at such time as the prescribed authority may notify in this behalf.
(4) License shall be granted for putting up only one beach shack to a member of the family.
Explanation.— For the purpose of this sub-section, the word "family" shall include husband or wife, as the case may be, dependent parents and unmarried children.
(5) The grant of a licence under this section shall not confer upon the licensee any right, title or interest in or over the beach, Government land or any other public property and such license shall be subject to cancellation, suspension or revocation in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules made thereunder, the terms and conditions of the licence and the Beach Shack Policy as notified by the Government from time to time.
(6) The Government shall formulate and notify a Beach Shack Policy applicable for three consecutive tourist seasons for the purpose of regulation, allotment, erection and operation of beach shacks on the identified beaches and for matters connected therewith, including the eligibility of applicants, manner of allotment, number and location of beach shacks, fees, security deposit, terms and conditions of the licence and such other matters as may be necessary for giving effect to the purposes of this Section.
3. Insertion of a new Section 13C.— In the principal Act, after Section 13B, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
"13C. Registration of shacks in private property.— Any person intending to operate a temporary shack in a private property within CRZ area as per CRZ Notification shall apply for registration to the prescribed authority in such manner as prescribed and with such fees as notified by the Government from time to time."
4. Substitution of Section 22.— In the principal Act, for Section 22, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
"22. Penalty for default in registration.— (1) Any person carrying on the business of a dealer, hotel- keeper, private shack operator or travel agent or as mentioned in sub-section (1) of Section 19A, without proper registration under this Act or in violation of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, he shall be liable to pay penalty of such amount as may be imposed by the prescribed authority which may extend to rupees One lakh only.
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 23 (EXTRAORDINARY No. 2) 09TH SEPTEMBER, 2026(2) Where the person on whom the penalty is imposed under sub-section (1) does not within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order imposing such penalty, pay the amount, then such person shall be liable to pay, by way of penal interest, a sum of,—
(a) rupees five hundred only for each day for the first 30 days from the date of the expiry of the period of 30 days as aforesaid; and,
(b) rupees one thousand only for each day thereafter.
(3) In case of failure on the part of a dealer or hotel-keeper or private shack operator or travel agent to pay the penalty imposed under sub-section (1) and/or penal interest under sub-section (2), the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue, and the prescribed authority shall proceed to seal the business premises and order disconnection of water and electricity supply. The concerned Department shall be bound to comply such order within a period of four days from the date of its receipt. In case the seal affixed by the prescribed authority is tampered with or damaged, the dealer, hotel-keeper, private shack operator or travel agent, as the case may be, shall be liable to pay additional fine of rupees ten lakhs apart from further action under the provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Central Act 45 of 2023).
(4) Where any person erects beach shack and/or carries on activity therein, without obtaining a licence as required under Section 13A or in violation of the terms and conditions specified in the licence or the Beach Shack Policy, in addition to such action as may be provided under the Beach Shack Policy,—
(i) he shall be liable to pay penalty of such amount as may be imposed by the prescribed authority, which may extend to rupees twenty lakhs only;
(ii) the beach shack shall be liable for demolition and the material thereof confiscated, without any prior notice, shall be entirely at his risk and cost".
Secretariat, Porvorim-Goa. Dated: 09-09-2026.
SANDIP JACQUES Secretary to the Government of Goa, Law Department (Legal Affairs).
www.goaprintingpress.gov.in
Published by the Director, Printing & Stationery,
Government Printing Press, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Panaji-Goa 403 001.