The Calangute Panchayat has written to the North Goa Collector, Goa Police, Director of Panchayats and other line departments for an opinion on having the resolution of entry restriction into Calangute panchayat areas. Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira says that the resolution was unanimously taken by the panch members after realising that some tourists entering Calangute only leave a trail of nuisance in the touristic areas. Accepting that though cannot take a unilateral decision on this, he says this is a necessary move.
It may be recalled that the Calangute Panchayat had earlier taken a resolution to impose a entry tax for tourists entering into the Calangute village touristic locations. This move according to the Sarpanch was to ensure that tourists don’t just create nuisance without any real benefit to the trade and commerce of the village. “If one travels to prominent hill stations of India there is entry tax, cess that is imposed on the tourists. It helps in keeping discipline” said Sequeira.
Accepting that he may not be able to take a unilateral decision Sequeira said that the panchayat has written to all the concerned departments to get an opinion on the resolution to take it ahead and make it a rule.
The idea had invited mixed responses from across the State where in some said that restrictions on movement cannot be imposed. However some also said that it was a good move to instill discipline into the Calangute village.
