PANAJI
Demanding a complete overhaul to control illegalities in massage parlours, activists fighting against the exploitation of women have insisted that a cosmetic initiative of taking action against a few massage parlours will not solve the problem."Being a tourist state, illegalities and sex trade are bound to happen at massage parlours in the state. A complete overhaul is needed and cosmetic actions on massage parlours with no backing of a strong law and no proper enforcement agency to implement those laws will not serve the purpose,” said Arun Pandey of Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ).
“We are the tourist destination. We need to have proper laws and proper agency to implement those laws,” said Pandey.
“Massage parlours are not related to health issue and so, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) is not the proper agency to monitor these parlours. Instead, power has to be given to police and government enforcement agencies,” said Pandey.
Pandey emphasised the need for sexual harassment committees in legal massage parlours, as girls have complained that clients have been demanding sexual service, which is a crime.
“Not a single offence against a client seeking sexual service has been registered in the State,” said Pandey.
“If a person is found running an illegal massage parlour, the maximum fine can be Rs 2,000 after conviction and if you continue, Rs 30 is the fine per day. Till you make it a penal crime, these activities will not stop,” he said.
“Massage parlours have become centres for extortion, blackmailing, commercial sex exploitation. These are all serious crimes,” said Pandey.
He claimed the DHS has registered only 166 massage parlours in Goa, adding that in the last 10 years, only 5 licenses have been cancelled. Incidentally, not a single license has been cancelled for illegality, he said.
BJP’s State Medical Cell supports CM’s decision to close illegal spas
PANAJI: Medical Cell, BJP Goa State has expressed its strong support to the Chief Minister’s decision to close down illegal spas and massage centres operating under the disguise of Ayurveda centres as these practices are spoiling the reputation of Goa.
“While welcoming the decision we expect this issue will be taken to a logical conclusion and all the spas and massage parlours operating in the State with requisite permissions will come under a regulatory body so that government also does not lose revenue at the same time people and tourist are not cheated and taken for a ride,” stated Dr Shekhar Salkar, convenor, Medical Cell, BJP Goa State.
Dr Salkar further said, “We also seek for clarification on rules governing operating spa/massage parlours and other beauty or cosmetics-related activities like tattoo, hair transplant, piercing etc and recommend that all these activities should come under Clinical Establishment Act.”
Pointing out that all Ayurveda practitioners, centres and wellness clinics/centres having medical health professionals should be under Clinical Establishment Act, Dr Salkar has appealed to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) Goa to issue requisite directives to all stakeholders and amend necessary rules to streamline the issue. BJP’s State Medical Cell has also demanded the constitution of an independent cell with a designated Goa Police Nodal officer with adequate members for North and South districts to inspect and take action against such illegal activities happening.
