Birch fire fallout: Calangute p’yat seals 8 establishments

MAPUSA
The fallout from the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident has triggered a major crackdown in Calangute, with eight clubs and commercial establishments sealed by the panchayat for allegedly operating without valid permissions from the panchayat and other competent authorities.
The sealing drive, which began on Thursday, continued on Friday and is expected to resume next week, with another nine establishments likely to face similar action for failing to comply with the required formalities.
Among those sealed is a unit belonging to the popular Tito’s club. Most of the establishments targeted in the drive are located along the busy Tito’s Lane at Sauntavaddo, Calangute.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said the panchayat had initiated the action after receiving a report from the office of the District Magistrate pointing to various violations.
“We had written to these establishments on June 2 about the lack of permissions from various authorities. We had received a report from the office of the District Magistrate citing the illegalities and, therefore, directed them to comply with the required permissions,” Sequeira said.
According to the sarpanch, the establishments were subsequently served show-cause notices and given an opportunity for personal hearings before the panchayat proceeded with the sealing action.
“We had also warned them that we would take action,” he said.
The crackdown has also brought into sharp focus how several establishments allegedly managed to operate for years despite deficiencies in permissions.
Sequeira admitted that some of the establishments had been functioning for several years without obtaining all the necessary approvals.
“The Arpora fire incident opened the can of worms and that is why the action is being taken,” he said.
The sealing operation itself has proved challenging, with some establishments allegedly not having conventional doors that can simply be locked and sealed. Panchayat teams, Sequeira said, have been forced to use rods and welding machines to physically seal certain premises.
The panchayat chief also questioned the apparent mismatch between the operating hours permitted under panchayat licences and those allowed under excise licences.
“The panchayat licence is only up to 11 pm, but the excise licence runs till 4 am. I question the Excise Department why it gives licences till 4 am. Do Goans drink till 5 am?” Sequeira said.
The action comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny of clubs and nightlife establishments following the Birch by Romeo Lane fire, which has put the spotlight on regulatory compliance, fire safety and the functioning of establishments operating late into the night.