Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira along with panchayat members while speaking to the media.
MAPUSA
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira on Tuesday said the government should come out with a legislation banning dance bars in the State to curb illegalities and prevent immoral activities taking place in such places.
Sequeira also said the panchayat was not involved in any hafta business and whatever action that has been taken against the clubs/dance bars was in the interest of the people of Calangute and the State.
“The State government should introduce a bill in the Goa Legislative Assembly banning dance bars and pass a law just like the Maharashtra government had done in their State some years ago. This will help in curbing a lot of illegal activities including touting,” Sequeira told The Goan.
The coalition government of Congress and NCP in Maharashtra had claimed that dance bars were a den of crime and banned the dance bars in the State in 2005.
Continuing, the Calangute Sarpanch informed that the panchayat decided to take action against all the premises operating dance bars which have been creating a lot of hassles for the locals in the coastal village.
He said on the request of the panchayat, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant instructed the SP North to take action against all illegalities in Calangute.
“Last night, we inspected some premises operating dance bars and issued a warning to the owners. We have asked them to shut down the dance bars on their own or else, the panchayat will take action against them,” he informed.
He said there were at least 15 such premises in Calangute which operated dance bars illegally.
“The panchayat issues a licence to run a restaurant up to 11 pm but these owners misuse the permission and clandestinely operate dance bars in the premises,” he said.
The Calangute sarpanch denied allegations that the panchayat was taking action against the dance bars to ensure that the panchayat receives their regular “hafta” from such illegal joints.
“It is wrong. People who are saying that we are doing this for hafta are upset because due to our action the hafta going to them has stopped. We are firm on our decision to eradicate the dance bars and we will do it,” Sequeira said.
He further said that the touts hanging around the dance bars have also disturbed the life of the locals and tourists alike and has to be stopped.
