CCP orders freeze on licences for spas and massage parlours

PANAJI
In a belated move, the Standing Committee of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Thursday decided to halt the issuance of new licences to spas and massage parlours in the capital city, Mayor Rohit Monserrate has said.
The decision comes amid complaints from residents and growing concerns over the proliferation of such establishments, many of which have sprung up to cater to tourists and patrons of offshore casinos operating in the Mandovi River.
In an interview with a local digital news platform, Monserrate strongly defended the decision, saying: “We’ve seen an explosion of spas and massage parlours in Panaji. There are also allegations of illegalities in these establishments."
The committee cited saturation in key commercial zones and mounting pressure on civic infrastructure. Members also raised red flags about regulatory lapses and the difficulty in monitoring the operations of these businesses once licences are granted, Monserrate said.
“We’re not against wellness centres or genuine businesses. But we cannot allow Panaji to become a free-for-all for establishments that may not be operating within the bounds of their licence," he said.
Monserrate said the decision to stop issuing licences to spas will have to be formally taken at a council meeting, following which it will be forwarded to the State government with a request to formulate a solid policy on such businesses.
The freeze will affect several pending applications, he said, adding that a sub-panel will have to be constituted by the government to study the long-term impact and propose a sustainable framework for wellness businesses.
Interestingly, the move to regulate spas in the city comes belatedly at the fag end of the term of the current council of the CCP, which ends in mid-March next year, when elections will be due for the city’s electorate to pick 30 new councillors.