NGO wants Samba Square shifted outside the city

The Goan Network
Panjim
The Goa Green Brigade, an NGO working for the environment in Goa, on Monday wrote to nine government officials including the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Commissioner Ajit Roy and North Goa Collector Levinson Martins asking them to revoke any permission, if given, to hold Carnival celebrations in the form of the "Samba Square" at the Garcia de Orta Garden near the Panjim church.
Five Panjim residents, including Avertino Miranda who backs the Goa Green Brigade, have said that the greenery of the garden has gotten destroyed over the past couple of years on account of the "Samba Square" being held there. The citizens further expressed that the loud noise and sale of alcohol is causing disturbance in the neighbourhood, especially for senior citizens. While stating that they are not against Carnival celebrations, the NGO requested that the celebrations be held in a space outside the city.
The memorandum alleges illegalities in the Samba Square at the Garden, saying, "... rampant sale of alcohol (is) taking place in spaces of (the) CCP which are prohibited places for sale and consumption of alcohol in gross violation of the Goa Excise Duty Act and Rules, 1964 and the laws in force." They add that as per new rules, it is prohibited to drink alcohol and cook in tourist places, and the Garcia de Orta is a tourist place because of the Panjim Church situated close by.
It is further alleged that the pilferage of electricity takes place as electrical meters are not installed with due permission of the Electricity Department to monitor and regulate the electricity used for the event. Moreover, ..."that huge amounts of garbage gets accumulated outside the garden and the area surrounding the venue is littered with beer bottles, plastic cups and other waste material, and no extra workforce is provided by the CCP to clean the area the next morning, besides unbearable stench of urine due to public urination taking place late in the night."
When contacted, CCP Commissioner Ajit Roy IAS told 'The Goan' that the memorandum would have to be studied and that a decision would be taken later.
Meanwhile, the CCP flyer advertising the Carnival and Samba Square in the garden from March 2-5 from 6 pm onwards is already being circulated amongst the public.