Stung by the criticism received after the Arpora nightclub horror, which claimed 25 lives on December 7, authorities have swung into action in multiple ways. Around six top outlets had been sealed — Goya, C02, Diaz, The Cape Goa, and another three more in the Anjuna-Vagator belt — Clara and Salud at Ozran, Vagator and Mayan Beach Club. The joint enforcement and monitoring committee found deficiencies in fire prevention and emergency preparedness.
While the sealing of violating nightclubs is a welcome move, it has exposed the double standards in enforcement regulations. Now consider this: Six popular nightclubs have been sealed, but the 17 restaurants that have been served notices by the Calangute Panchayat over running clubs secretively without obtaining the mandated permissions, continue to enjoy an extended lease of life. While they were served notices and asked to produce certificates of no objection (NOC) from the likes of Fire & Emergency Services, Pollution Control, and Health departments, among others, no action has been initiated against those who failed to comply, despite the fact that these clubs are in violation.
The Luthra brothers are arriving, and the entire attention has shifted to the course of law, but very little attention is being paid to the hundreds of illegal outlets that dot the coastal belt in clear defiance of the law. Why are they offered a protective umbrella? Why is there no urgency to seal them like the other six? There is no such thing as “half-legal”, and hence it baffles to understand why authorities are not swooping down and sealing outlets that are already in violation. Clubs that are seeking time to comply ought to be sealed immediately. The continuance of the indulgence indicates that there is a double standard.
Interestingly, the Monday’s sealing of ‘The Cape Goa’ at Cabo de Rama reveals quite a few serious breaches - among them are the lack of structural safety certificates, blocked emergency exits, unsafe LPG storage, and non-compliance with CRZ regulations. However, similar issues in other clubs, especially at the most famous nightlife spots like Vagator or Anjuna, are apparently free from intervention. Rather, they are given a breather of compliance. The seeming inconsistency points to a larger network backed by local politics. Interestingly, over three thousand demolitions have been stayed by the Director of Panchayat over a period of time. That tells the story.
The regulatory authorities need self-reflection on the gaps in the system. As a nightlife destination, Goa needs regulatory consistency — both in terms of structural illegalities and sound violations. On Monday, the High Court of Bombay at Goa took suo moto cognisance of the Birch fire and pointed out that the core issue is about the existence and continued operation of illegal structures. The court pointed out that the local bodies are empowered to act against illegal structures, but they have not acted in the case of Birch. “Someone would have to be held responsible”, maintained the bench.
Thankfully, the court has taken the onus on itself to fix responsibility. It is a crying shame that despite the loss of 25 lives, there has been no accountability for those responsible for the scale of illegalities. A transparent, fair, and consistent action is what is needed right now, where infringements are addressed without delay, and legal steps against offenders are initiated without exemptions. We hope that the Birch fire accountability does not end the way of the Shirgao Zatra stampede.
