PM will consider easing music curbs for Goa: Sawant

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday, after returning from his New Delhi visit, said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he sought relaxations on the curbs on playing music post 10pm. Sawant said that the PM has agreed to consider Goa’s case for the relaxations and has instructed officials to address the issue immediately.

The CM said that due to the restrictions on playing music post 10pm under noise pollution norms, Goa is losing out on business from destination weddings. He said such events are moving now to locations like Vietnam as a result.

“We will have to make some amendments to the Noise Pollution Act or create an entertainment zone, so locals are also not disturbed. People like to host their weddings on the beach side. We need this relaxation so that people can come and enjoy their marriages,” said Sawant.

“It is part of the local economy. We need to boost local tourism. I brought it to his notice and he said he directed his officials to follow up this issue with the concerned ministry on a continuous basis. It is in the interest of the state and tourism,” said Sawant.

He said the PM has tentatively agreed to visit Goa around Sep-Oct.

“I met Union home minister Amit Shah and discussed the overall political situation in Goa and the various developmental issues. Our new BJP office is getting ready. I have invited him and the party president will officially invite him. He is the Union cooperation minister. Agriculture and cooperative societies in Goa need to be strengthened in a structured way. I also discussed with him the ways to strengthen the cooperative movement in Goa. He has extended complete support,” said Sawant.

The CM also met Union labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya during his New Delhi visit and the CM said that he received an assurance to expedite the commissioning of new ESI Medical College in Margao.

Sawant said that he has sought the starting of the college from the new academic year itself.

The CM said Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal has agreed to come for the inauguration of the new captain of ports building in Panaji on June 8.

“In Goa, 50,000 people use ferries every day for their transportation. This is a big number. Govt is committed to providing good infrastructure for them. We will introduce another RoRo ferry,” said Sawant.