MARGAO
Back-to-back statements by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in May last that Goa would be promoted as a wedding destination had raised hopes amongst stakeholders, especially from Salcete, but for a different reason.
With the state being promoted as a wedding destination, many had hoped that the government would tweak the law regulating sound pollution, giving those extra few minutes after 10 pm for wedding receptions.
Hopes amongst the stakeholders were not entirely misplaced after Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte insisting that Goa would be promoted as a single window wedding destination by next year in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s view to promote the country as a wedding destination.
In fact, stakeholders from Salcete, including small hoteliers and owners of open air venues have been quick to welcome the statements made by the Chief Minister that the government is working out a solution to the burning issue of sound pollution.
The ground reality, however, remains unchanged. And, it’s unclear how long will the stakeholders as well as citizens will have to wait for the government to tweak the existing law to give the few extra minutes of sound relaxation for wedding receptions and traditional events.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira only said the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is actively pursuing with the Centre how best to evolve a solution to grant sound relaxation for weddings and traditional cultural events in the state.
Small and medium hotelier, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz pointed out that giving an hour's sound relaxation for open air venues for weddings and cultural events will go a long way in promoting Goa as a tourism and wedding destination.
The hotelier has pointed out that the issues facing North Goa and Salcete are different. “Unlike North Goa, which plays host to late night parties, Salcete is relatively free from such night parties. What we are demanding here in Salcete is relaxation of sound, may be for an extra hour for a wedding reception or an event”, he said.
The Cavelossim Sarpanch said he along with tourism stakeholders will call on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to ascertain the status of the government plan to make Goa a wedding destination.
Senior High Court Advocate, Adv Cleofato Coutinho asserted that the central notification provides for categorization of zones, into industrial, commercial and residential and the sound decibels permitted during day and night. “If the issue is over sound decibels beyond a prescribed time, agencies such as the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) should put in place the mechanism, including sound monitoring equipment, to check the sound decibels beyond 10 pm”, he said.
Adv Coutinho, however, reiterated that there ought to be no room for rave and late night parties in the state under the guise of tourism promotion. “It’s another matter if the government wants to tweak the law to promote traditions and culture, but this should in no way boost the rave and late night parties”, he asserted.
