MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM/MARGAO: In what could come as a major relief for event management agencies especially wedding planners, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the State government is working on finding a workaround to grant sound permission for events held indoors, in closed and sound-proof premises, and even outdoors, beyond 10 pm.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said, “There are sound restrictions on all events post 10 pm as per Central Act. But the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is working on it. There are both issues – closed-door and open-air venues. We will have to think positively if we want to promote the State as a wedding destination. We will have to look at the issue from the tourism angle. A solution has to come. If the event is happening in a hall, which is sound- proof, then there is no problem in granting permission for holding events beyond 10 pm.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders from the event management and entertainment industry in the State welcomed Sawant’s statement on ‘relaxing’ the sound permissions timings for events as a positive step towards revitalising the tradition of wedding receptions besides the industry.
Domnic Gaunkar, who owns ‘White House’, an open-air venue at Arlem-Raia, welcomed the Chief Minister's statement regarding ‘sound relaxation’.
He said, “Recognising the cultural and religious significance of post-wedding rites following the Church nuptials, there is an urgent need to grant some relaxation with regards to sound permission beyond 10 pm. A balanced approach can be adopted to allow some relaxation in sound regulations rather than a complete shutdown by 10 pm. This can be done by lowering the decibel levels to minimise disturbance.”
Welcoming the government's move, Cancio Mascarenhas, owner of another open-air venue, ‘The Village’, said, “This relaxation may not directly benefit venue owners like me; but it holds significant value to those who book the venue for events, particularly wedding receptions. By extending sound permissions, the government is primarily offering relief and flexibility to event organisers and attendees, allowing them to celebrate and enjoy special occasions without unnecessary constraints.”
“Bands typically play only for two hours and must wind up by 10 pm, leading to financial losses to the organisers,” Mascarenhas said.
When contacted, South Goa Additional Collector Srinet Kothwale stated that the district administration has not received any formal communication regarding the extension of sound permissions for events, including wedding receptions, beyond the permissible time limit.
Churchill calls for extending sound permission time limit for weddings until midnight
MARGAO: Citing the importance of accommodating cultural and social practices among the Catholic community in Goa, former MP Churchill Alemao, urged the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to consider extending the sound permission time limit for wedding receptions until midnight.
Justifying his request, the former chief minister said, “The Catholic community’s unique culture of celebration necessitates more hours at the wedding reception venue compared to other communities.”
Have to think positively if we want to promote Goa as wedding destination: sawant
There are sound restrictions on all events post 10 pm as per Central Act. But the Goa State Pollution Control Board is working on it. There are both issues – closed-door and open-air venues. We will have to think positively if we want to promote the State as a wedding destination. We will have to look at the issue from the tourism angle. A solution has to come. If the event is happening in a hall, which is sound-proof, then there is no problem in granting permission for holding events beyond 10 pm.
