PANAJI
The health department has stopped giving permissions to new spas in the State since last one month and this will continue until the new amended health act with stringent rules come into force.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday told the media that no permissions will be given to new spas till the existing Health Act is
amended providing more teeth to officers to act against illegalities.
The health department has also stopped giving permission to new restaurants for last one month, but in some cases permissions were given by imposing a few restrictions.
“No permissions will be given to new restaurants in residential premises,” Rane said. The government is in the process of creating a strong health act which will be in concurrence with FDA rules,” he added.
He also informed that the new act will have provision for a special cell which will have the power to give licenses to spas and restaurants and check for irregularities.
“Present powers of enforcement agencies to act against illegalities in spas and restaurants are not enough. In many cases, licenses taken for one purpose have been misused for starting another business,” the minister said and added, “The new Health Act would also ensure that those restaurants operating without valid permissions would be penalised heavily. We intend to pass this act in the next Assembly session.”
“I had already discussed the amendments to the Health Act with CM Parrikar who has given some suggestions to make it more stringent,” he said. The minister said that Goa will set a precedent in the country by coming out with innovative Health Act. “All stakeholders like hoteliers and travel agencies in the tourism sector will be taken into confidence before finalising it,” he mentioned.
