FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
BASURI DESAI
CALANGUTE: If you are a tourist and pop into one of the mushrooming massage parlours in Calangute for some rest and relaxation, please pick the ones that are legit and above board. Or else your rejuvenation may be short-lived.
The Police Inspector of Calangute Police Station on Monday, in a written note to the SDM Bardez, has requested the constitution of a special squad to tackle illegal spas and massage parlours that are mushrooming in his jurisdiction.
PI Nolasco Raposo informed the SDM that the squad was constituted and functional earlier but it is not functioning currently.
It has been noticed that a couple of incidents have taken place in the past where tourists were solicited and robbed by touts in the pretext of a massage.
In the note Raposo said, “It is submitted that presently there are many illegal spas/massage parlours operating in this Police Station jurisdiction without obtaining mandatory licenses from the competent authority.”
It also said that such establishments operate with Trade and Establishment License from local panchayat, health NOC and GSPCB certificate.
“It is therefore kindly requested to constitute the said special squad at earliest,” the letter to SDM states. The special squad should comprise the mamlatdar, health officer, police sub inspector.
The police have also asked the local panchayat to check on illegal spas and massage parlours operating without trade licences and to initiate necessary action to seal the establishments as per Goa Panchayati Raj Act.
“Due to issuing of trade licenses to several spas/massage parlours, tatoo shop, club etc has resulted in mushrooming of illegal touting which is bringing a bad name to your village,” a letter to panchayat said.
