MAPUSA
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira on Sunday disclosed that a six-member special squad has been constituted to take action against touts, illegal businesses on the footpath and billboards in the village.
Sequeira also admitted that the menace of dance bars may not have been completely erased but the panchayat has now insisted that all those who apply for NOCs of bar and restaurant will have to also produce an affidavit stating that no dance bars will be operated in the premises.
“We have formed a special squad to identify and take action against touts in the beach village. The squad will begin its operation from the middle of the next week,” Sequeira said.
He informed that based on his request, the CM had directed the police to take tough action against the touts.
“The arrest of 30 odd touts by the police, last week, was a result of sustained efforts from our side,” he said.
When some gram sabha members pointed out that the issue of illegal dance bars and massage centres were yet to be resolved, a visibly agitated sarpanch said that he had put in maximum effort to stop the menace.
“I did everything including meeting the PI and the CM. Dance bars cannot be shut down within a day. There is a procedure to be followed while trying to act against illegalities which we are doing,” Sequeira said.
“From now onwards all those who apply for NOCs for opening of new bars and restaurants, we insist that they have to produce an affidavit stating that they will not indulge in any illegal activities or start dance bars in the premises,” he added.
He said if anyone fails to adhere to the rule then the licence would be cancelled.
