PANAJI
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday hinted at his willingness to consider the suggestion made by the managements of some spas, tourism body and five-star hotel owners to decriminalise cross massage in the tourist state of Goa.
Speaking to the media at Panaji, Rane stated, “Their suggestion is that cross gender massage should be allowed, while strict action may be taken on illegalities I have to look at the aspect that this is a tourist state.”
The Health Minister said that he is in the process of amending the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Health Act, 1985 to incorporate a stronger regulatory mechanism to prevent illegal prostitution activities in spas and massage parlours.
“I am in the process of amending the Act. It was not clear. I want to get total clarity. Role of powers also needs to be defined before raids are conducted. If there are any illegalities found, fines will be levied and licences will be terminated,” he said adding that the officers conducting health inspections at spas have been removed pending a complete restructure of the procedure.
“I am going to get an undertaking from all spas and massage parlours that no such illegal activities occur on their premises. If you are doing cross massages, say so. No problem. Government isn’t here to terrorise you,” said the health minister.
It was informed that the first step will be constitution of a committee comprising Collector(North), SP(North), members of Women’s Commission and the Director of Health Services to advise the health department on resolving the issue.
“This will be a core group comprising of majority female officers to monitor and suggest action on preventing and controlling prostitution activities within spa and massage parlours. In the following week, I will convene a meeting with the state spa association to hear their concerns,” Rane said.
In addition to this, there will be a helpline to intimate authorities on any exploitation. “We are going to be very strict in Candolim and the coastal belt,” the minister stated.
Referring to certain “black elements” in the industry, he said that he has already secured information about a prominent Panaji-based spa operating a prostitution racket in Dona Paula. “There are a few spas which are running houses in Dona Paula which are full of prostitution activities. The information will be passed on to SP (North). Those are the ones we will knock off first. Then we will commence a full drive,” Rane warned.
