Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Calangute, Aug 22: Continuing its crackdown on illegal nightclubs in Baga, the Calangute panchayat on Friday sealed four more establishments, including Tito’s. The adjoining Tito’s Courtyard will be sealed on Monday, sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said.

The action followed a report submitted by a joint inspection committee appointed by the Bardez district magistrate. The committee comprised officials from the district magistrate’s office, fire and emergency services, directorate of panchayats, excise department, food and drugs administration and the PWD chief engineer.

“Their report states that these places do not have a construction licence, occupancy certificate and other mandatory clearances,” Sequeira said.

The sarpanch said notices had been issued in June to 17 establishments directing them to demolish unauthorised structures.

“After giving them ample time, we are now sealing them,” he said.

Sequeira said the violations had continued for years but came under greater scrutiny following the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in December.

“After that fire, the can of worms has burst open,” he said.

He also highlighted what he described as inconsistencies among regulatory authorities.

“People blame the panchayat, even though a trade licence for restaurants is to function till 11pm. The excise department issues licences to operate till 4am, but nobody questions it,” he said.

With four establishments sealed on Thursday, the total number of establishments sealed had risen to eight by Friday evening. Sequeira said the drive would continue over the next few days.

“We will continue sealing for the next three-four days. We couldn’t seal some of these clubs because they don’t even have doors,” he said.

Panchayat officials used welding machines and iron rods to seal premises that did not have doors.

“Some of these clubs have one place on the ground floor and another on the first floor with two different names and no doors,” the sarpanch said, adding that some structures were partly legal but had large unauthorised extensions.

Lobo alleges clubs linked to prostitution

Meanwhile, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo alleged that several clubs were fronts for prostitution.

“Clubs were mushrooming again because the tourism season is about to start. The clubs that are mushrooming are nothing but the dance bars which were sealed earlier,” Lobo said.

He also alleged that the number of massage parlours was increasing and called for them to be sealed.

“In the name of massage parlours, they’re doing all kinds of dubious activities,” he said.