PANJIM: In what could prove to be a major setback for the organisers of Sunburn Klassique amidst preparations in full swing to host the three-day extravaganza, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the local authorities to stall the upcoming Electronic Dance Music (EDM) if the organisers fail to pay Rs 18.12 lakh fees to the Comunidade of Anjuna.
The Division Bench of Justices M S Sonak and M S Jawalkar on Wednesday also directed that ongoing preparations such as setting up of structures at the venue should be stopped till the organisers apply for No Objection Certificate (NOC) with the Village Panchayat of Anjuna.
During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation, the Bench expressed concern and surprise that arrangements at survey number 206/1 began in absence of the mandatory NOC. The court was informed by the petitioner that organisers did not apply with the local panchayat seeking permission to set up either permanent or temporary structures at Vagator, where the event is slated to be held from December 27 to 29.
“The organisers must pay to the Comunidade Rs 18, 12, 328 before the event starts (on December 27). Similarly, 20 per cent of this amount, if requires, has to be paid to the administrator of North Zone,” the Bench said.
The court has also asked the organisers to not deposit cheque but credit the amount into the account of the concerned authorities. The cheque deposit will not be sufficed or accepted, it said adding, “If the payment is not done, the government and the police should ensure that the event does not proceed. Also, no further works at the site should be undertaken until the NOC is granted.”
The court also observed that every year petitions are filed in the High Court complaining that EDM festival organisers host the event but drag their feet thereafter to make the payment.
“Even today, the petition is filed on the same,” the Bench said. The court also came down heavily on the organisers of EDM for resorting to tactics to avoid payment of dues to the government. It observed that permissions for hosting the events are sought in two-three different firms or some individuals, and at a later stage deny owing any money.
Percept Live Pvt Ltd, the main organiser of Sunburn has still not paid dues to the government including Police Department while Sunburn Klassique, by Percept Live and a Goan company, owes Rs 1 crore. Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has also said that final permission will not be granted to the festival till the dues are paid while also feigning ignorance about Percept’s links with Klassique.
Meanwhile, another petition filed by social activist Trajano D’Mello has questioned government’s wisdom to grant the permission to Sunburn Klassique although the organisers are yet to make the payment of Rs 1 crore dues. Both the matters will come up for hearing on December 20.
