PANAJI
In a sudden corrigendum to an earlier notification on sound ban in night hours issued by the State government, the use of amplified sound and public address systems has been banned from 10 pm on all days and from midnight on special religious and cultural festive days in the year.
The corrigendum has spurred suspense over the fate of midnight religious services for the upcoming Christmas day which are held across the State.
Several churches and Catholic institutions traditionally hold outdoor midnight services across Goa on the eve and going into Christmas day. With the use of amplified sound now banned beyond midnight, a cloud of uncertainty has enveloped these solemn and religious services.
The corrigendum states that on cultural, religious festive occasions the use of amplified loudspeakers and public address systems will be permitted in the night hours only till 12 midnight, whereas the earlier notification of February 2022, had permitted it until 6 am.
As many as 17 days of the year were specified as religious and festive occasions -- last day of Carnival, Holi, Easter Eve, Easter Day, 2nd and 5th day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi, first and last day of Navaratri, Kojagiri Poornima, Diwali Eve, Diwali, Tripurari/Kartiki Poornima, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year Day.
On these 17 days the old notification had permitted the use of amplified sound up to 6 am but the corrigendum issued now, restricts it only up to midnight.
Also, the corrigendum has now reduced the special days to 15 and omitted New Year Day (January 1) and Easter Day which figured in the list of the February 2022 notification.
According to the notification's corrigendum issued now, the use of loudspeakers or public address system will be permitted beyond 10 pm on these 15 days (minus the New Year and Easter Day) only up to 12 am (midnight).
It also specifies that even on these days the relaxed hours up to midnight will be permitted only subject to specific permission granted only on a case-to-case basis, in response to specific applications made by the panchayat, municipal corporation/Council or by an individual.
Goa has been in the grip of a crackdown from the establishment against the use of loud music at night beyond 10 pm after a recent order of the Bombay High Court at Goa with several tourism players reacting sharply to the situation, saying it will spell doom for the industry.
Recently, Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA, Vijai Sardesai, also voiced concern that the order to shut down music after 10 pm will threaten the 'social ethos' of Goans, especially the traditional wedding receptions of the Catholic community.
