MAPUSA
Rejecting the idea of bringing a bill to the Legislative Assembly to stop dance bars in the State, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said illegal dance bars operating in Calangute can be legally stopped by following proper procedure.
“I don’t think a bill is required to stop dance bars in the State. But the government and the Chief Minister should find out how to stop the operation of illegal dance bars. According to me, a legislation is not required. It can be shut down by following the laid down process of law,” Lobo said.
Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira had recently appealed to all the MLAs to introduce a bill against dance bars in the winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly which begins on January 16 and hold a discussion on it.
“His (Joseph Sequeira’s) thinking is right. He said it because these dance bars can mushroom elsewhere in the State. Today it’s in Calangute, but tomorrow it could commence in Anjuna, Mapusa or even in the capital city of Panaji. Because such things should not happen, he says the bill should be brought,” the MLA said.
He said the legal action initiated by the Calangute panchayat will be able to put a stop to the illegal dance bar activity in the village.
“We are totally against these activities. The process which is started by the panchayat will take the entire issue to its logical end,” he said.
High taxi bill at Mopa airport must be resolved on priority: Michael
MAPUSA:
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said the high taxi bill charged at the new Mopa International Airport was due to initial hitches, but it has to be resolved on priority so that a wrong message does not go to tourists and the locals.
“The issue of taxi rate at the Mopa International Airport should be resolved at the earliest so that tourists and locals do not face problems and arrest the negative image that is created on social media,” said Lobo.
He said the recent taxi bill of over Rs 4,000 charged to travel from Mopa airport to Benaulim, which has gone viral on social media, was due to initial hiccups whenever a new product is launched.
“These are teething problems which need to be taken care of on priority. GEL or whoever has come up with the app should look into the problem and rectify it. People should not say I travelled from Mumbai to Goa for Rs 2,500 but paid over Rs 4,000 to reach home by cab,” he said.
He also said the issue of charges issued to taxi operators who enter the new airport should also be looked into.
