PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured the House that the Goa government will consider allowing music beyond the current 10 pm deadline till 1 am at shacks, restaurants and open halls, especially for weddings.
“I don’t want tourism to be affected. We will study the matter. We have no problem granting permission, but the issue is with environmental activists who file complaints. This is the main problem. We are working out something within the law; we cannot bypass the Supreme Court verdict,” Sawant said.
The discussion arose today during a starred question by Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai, who argued that the 10 pm sound restriction is hurting the tourism sector. Sardesai cited Bengaluru’s policy of allowing establishments to operate till 1 am, claiming it has boosted the city’s tourism and nightlife. “If it works there, why can’t it work here?” he asked, urging the Speaker to intervene and allow operations beyond 10 pm with monitored sound volume.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira informed the House that the government is consulting senior lawyers in Delhi to explore filing a review petition in the Supreme Court against its order prohibiting music beyond 10 pm. “It is the SC order that binds us,” Sequeira said, adding that the Chief Minister has raised the matter several times with the Union Environment Minister.
Sardesai, however, questioned why Goa could not implement noise level-based regulations similar to global practices, which permit low-volume ambient music at night as long as it does not exceed 45 decibels in residential areas.
The CM reiterated that the government’s approach would be to find a solution within the legal framework while balancing tourism promotion and residents’ concerns.
