------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRI Continental Film Festival - Dona Paula, Goa, Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricontinental/tricon.htm For public viewing. Registration at The International Centre Goa. (Ph: +91-832-2452805 to 10) Online Media Partner: http://www.GOANET.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goa plays party pooper, no bashes after 10 pm Panaji: There's bad news for tourists planning a rocking holiday in Goa. In an effort to minimise noise pollution, the state government has ordered India's tourist hotspot to cut down on partying. Implementing a High court directive, the government has ruled that there will be no music or partying post-10 pm, on beaches or elsewhere. So loud music and dance to blast away the pre-holiday blues through the night and into the wee hours of the morning. So strict is the directive that officials will now conduct raids to ensure that the party ends at the stroke of the hour. "We used to book people under Noise Pollution Act. Now, if the offence is serious we will book them under Environment Protection Act having serious penalties. It has a fine up to Rs 1 lakh and one month imprisonment," says Additional Collector, North Goa. Swapnil Naik. But the tourism industry is in no mood to face the music. Officials admit a ban on Goa's famous nightlife will hit the sector hard. "It's a sad thing that parties will not be allowed after 10 pm in open areas. It's a High Court order, so no one can really help. It will affect tourism and alternative solutions to enjoy in Goa will have to focused on," says Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Samjeet Rodrigues. What's worrying the industry is that the ban comes at a time when the tourist season is about to start. Tour operators say parties that do not disturb the neighbourhood or are held at isolated places need not end at 10 pm. http://www.ibnlive.com/news/goa-plays-party-pooper-no-bashes-after-10-pm /49619-26.html ~(^^)~ Avelino
