ample this, a couple of tourists walk down the shore at Anjuna Beach and is constantly pestered by a "peddler" offering them a menu of sorts.

The HASH --- TAG --- is prominently on the list. Or Coke, it's not what you think.... or pills... he knows his business. He knows his clientele!

Appears to be laidback and sleepy, but the undercover aggressiveness to push his stuff is a common thing at Anjuna Beach, which was a haven for "those" visitors since the days of the hippie culture in the Sixties!

Despite stiff resistance from the local residents, who want a cleaner and better Anjuna, the DIRTY BUSINESS is being conducted in utter violation of the laws for several decades now.

There have been complaints galore against these establishments which have been running their "dirty business" relentless. The complaints and petitions have also reached the Prime Minister’s office after the state authorities,  including Chief Minister’s officer, Deputy Chief Minister’s office failed to initiate any action. Even the Anjuan-Caisua village panchayat had filed complaints to GCZMA, Deputy Collector, Secretary revenue and even Chief Secretary of the State citing various illegalities on the coast of Anjuna. 

The panchayat alleged all these places, including Curlies shack, Banyan Tree, Nyex Beach Club, Waters Beach Club and Hilltop are operating ‘illegally’. Savio Almeida, Sarpanch of Anjuna-Caisua village panchayat has said that none of these places have the panchayat licence to carry out commercial activities and no NOC to obtain further licenses to operate the business.     

Anjuna-Caisua Village Panchayat had sought the PMO's intervention in July 2016 to save Anjuan’s coast from the illegal encroachers. 

The village Panchayat had submitted its petition to the PMO seeking intervention following the blatant illegalities on the coast within No Development Zone of CRZ. Prompt action from the panchayat happened after the local activists submitted their petitions. they cited various illegalities to convert beach side illegal structures into legal ones in connivance with the government officers. All these restaurants and shacks are operating till wee hours accompanied with high decibel music, said the panchayat. 

Almeida alleged that the same petitions were also sent to the law enforcing agencies like ACB, Crime Branch of Goa Police but no action was taken. He further alleged the involvement of an officer of the rank of deputy collector. He said all illegalities have taken place in connivance with the public servants, even the rave parties too in Anjuna village.  

“We have written to the PMO to save our village and our beautiful beaches from the illegal encroachers. The petitions to chief secretary and chief minister turned futile, so there was no other option but to seek the PMO's intervention before approaching the court,” Almeida. 

The panchayat has been fighting several battles with various authorities to stop the illegalities in Anjuna village for many years now. But no strict action has been initiated by any of the state agencies. Some of the activists have now knocked on the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Pune. 

The petition which was placed to the PMO by the Anjuna-Caisua Panchayat has a detailed documentation on how the individuals, in connivance with various government authorities, have fabricated and altered the government records to convert the illegal structure into a legal one on Anjuna’s coast. 

The petition has also named the government officers and even submitted the documents which they have signed misusing their positions.  

Following a recent raid, these establishments, including Curlies shack, Nyex club, Banyan Tree, Hilltop and Waters club were once again was shrouded in controversy. The panchayat authorities alleged all these establishments were involved in some kind of  a violation. The sarpanch claims there's no NOC to any of these establishments to operate any commercial activity.  

‘Curlies’ has no NOC from the Panchayat. The structure is illegal and the matter is in court. Further, it was stated that the place has no trade licence. FDA license and excise license was obtained by forging government documents. 

Panchayat maintained that the Nyex club's activities in Vagator was  also in complete violation of the CRZ rules. The Panchayat says it has not issued any NOC. The sarpanch even said a showcause has been issued by the panchayat. 

Nyex's matter is also pending with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench, Pune. NGT has ordered to stop the operations after finding prima facia evidence of violation of coastal regulatory rules.             

Banyan Tree, according to the panchayat, is conducting all its activities ‘illegally’.

Hilltop, the Panchayat alleged the structure is not in dispute but its other activities ‘are’. The liquor licence is meant to serve drinks within the premises but it is currently being done in blatant violation of the excise laws, panchayat alleged. 

‘Waters’ club is operated by a famous television personality who is also a DJ. The panchayat claims that the club was closed but it was operational on the last long weekend. The panchayat further said that this club has no NOC.  

Following the report from the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, the  deputy collector grants the music permission and based on it,  the applicant can play music till 10pm. But in Anjuna the music starts at 10 which is an utter violation of the law! 

All these party venues are within a km from the Anjuna Police Station. And even as the high octane music is a huge irritant for the local residents, it is a wonder how the cops "can't hear" it and these venues are "allowed" to have their way.