AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR/PILERNE/MAPUSA: Locals across North Goa are aghast that, just four days after the death of a young man from Indore due to a drug overdose, two parties featuring foreign artists are being advertised and tickets openly sold. Both events are reportedly scheduled at the same venue where a previous party was cancelled following public outcry on Good Friday. The Comunidade of Anjuna, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), and the Anjuna Sarpanch have cate gorically stated that no permission has been granted for any event at Survey No 206/1 on April 25 or May 7, 2026. The first event, slated for April 25, features an artist named Argy and is expected to begin at 5 pm. Ticket prices range from Rs 3,300 to Rs 18,000 per person.
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The second event features Brazilian artist Mochakk, with tickets priced between Rs 4,499 and Rs 10,000, and is explicitly adver tised as an outdoor show. “There is no NOC given to anybody. I have heard from some of my colleagues that there is an event at Dynamo, but it is private property. These guys (party organisers) pay the cops and do what they want, and then the name of the comunidade gets spoilt,” said Roy D’Souza, President of the Comunidade of Anjuna. The sale of tickets for two new events at the same venue has left Anjuna Sarpanch Surendra Govekar both surprised and peeved. “The Panchayat did not give any permission the last time and has not given any permission now. The Panchayat is not the authority to stop illegal parties from happening. There are authorities appointed to do so,” said Govekar. The site in question is enclosed by metal fencing, with a decorated arcade displaying a club name. “This is the en trance for VIPs,” said a man overseeing the property. Following the death of the Indore man, it emerged that organisers of the earlier Black Coffee event had no permis sions from any authority. Locals now question whether or ganisers of the upcoming parties are following the same modus operandi. “The government and the Department of Tourism do not seem to be walking the talk.
On one hand, tickets are being sold for parties when officials say no permissions are giv en, and when parties are cancelled, it reflects poorly on the Tourism Department, which is trying to attract people to Goa,” said Stephanie D’Souza from Vagator. The approach road to the venue is barely four metres wide, with only two entry points—one reserved for high end ticket holders — and a rear exit opening into dry foliage. “The question of an NOC for a function at the place men tioned is out of the question because that place cannot safely accommodate 500 people, let alone 1,000 or more. How they are allowed to operate is for the authorities con cerned to answer,” said a senior North Goa Fire Brigade official on condition of anonymity, confirming that no fire safety clearance has been granted. A foreign tourist, requesting anonymity, remarked, “Tickets for shows should be sold only after all permis sions are obtained. It does not look good for Goa when a party is cancelled and refunds are promised later. This is simply bad. It spoils the name of Goa, which is otherwise loved by all.” Officials from the GSPCB reiterated their position: “No permission was given the last time, and no permission was sought for any party this time. You have to ask the office of the Collector and the police.
They are responsible for grant ing permission for sound, not us,” said a technical officer. Deputy Collector (North Goa) Varsha Parab and Anju na Police Inspector Suraj Gauns did not respond to phone calls. However, dissent has also emerged within the Comuni dade. Raphael Lobo, a member, criticised the handling of the earlier event. “They allowed things to reach a stage where the show was cancelled only when people protested,” he said. Point 5 of the certificate issued for the Good Friday musical event had clearly stated: “Applicant shall furnish to the office of Anjuna Comunidade all the Xerox self-at tested copies of permissions obtained from the concerned authorities.” “How did the Comunidade allow the function to start on our land when there were no permissions at hand from any government office, perhaps except the police? This clearly proves their involvement. They cannot wash their hands off by pointing fingers at others,” alleged Lobo.
