Club operators seek more time to obtain NOCs
MAPUSA
Show-cause notices issued by the Calangute village panchayat to 17 restaurants allegedly operating clandestine clubs along the coastal belt have exposed widespread violations of licensing norms, with most establishments found to be functioning without mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from key departments.
According to sources in the panchayat, scrutiny of documents submitted so far has revealed that only a handful of establishments – including the well-known Tito’s – possess all the required permissions.
“Most of the clubs are missing one or more mandatory NOCs. Some have fire safety clearance but lack consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), while others do not have health or FDA clearances,” a senior panchayat functionary said on condition of anonymity.
The show-cause notices directed the establishments to produce NOCs from departments such as Fire & Emergency Services, Excise, Health, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), GSPCB etc.
However, several club operators have sought additional time to comply, which has been granted by the panchayat.
In a development that has raised eyebrows, panchayat sources confirmed that many clubs, while approaching other departments for belated approvals, were asked to submit a forwarding letter from the local panchayat.
“We have started issuing forwarding letters – similar to provisional trade licences – so that these establishments can at least apply for NOCs from the departments concerned,” the source said.
The episode has thrown light on how several restaurant-cum-clubs have allegedly been operating for years without full statutory clearances, exploiting regulatory loopholes and weak enforcement.
“This exercise has clearly shown that illegal operations were being regularised by default, rather than through proper compliance,” a former senior government official commented.
The recent fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, which claimed lives and triggered multiple inquiries, has acted as a catalyst for closer scrutiny of nightlife establishments across North Goa.
Officials admit that the tragedy exposed systemic failures in monitoring fire safety and licensing compliance.
Panchayat officials said that action would follow once the extended deadline expires.
“If establishments fail to submit the mandatory NOCs within the stipulated time, the panchayat will be compelled to initiate stringent action, including closure,” an official warned.
With Calangute being one of Goa’s busiest nightlife hubs, the unfolding crackdown is expected to have far-reaching implications for clubs and restaurants operating along the coastal belt, many of which now face the prospect of suspension or sealing if found non-compliant.
