Goa Panchayat Takes Action Against Diaz Club for Alleged Regulatory Violations
The Anjuna-Caisua panchayat in Mapusa has taken decisive action against Diaz Club, issuing a formal show cause notice to the establishment's owner for multiple alleged regulatory violations. The panchayat has directed the club owner to immediately halt all commercial activities until a final determination is made in this matter.
Legal Basis and Demands of the Notice
The notice was formally issued under Section 72 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, a significant legal provision that empowers local governing bodies to regulate commercial establishments. The club owner has been specifically asked to provide explanations for several critical issues:
- Why the establishment's operations should not be permanently shut down
- Why the unauthorized commercial structure should not be sealed by authorities
- Why the provisional No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the panchayat should not be revoked
Background and Investigation Findings
This regulatory action follows a memorandum issued by the block development officer (BDO) on January 21, which directed a comprehensive inquiry into the club's operations. Panchayat officials subsequently conducted a detailed site inspection on January 27 at the club's premises.
The inspection revealed several concerning findings:
- The establishment was operating as a bar and restaurant without a final trade license
- The club was relying on a provisional NOC that had expired long ago
- The management had failed to obtain mandatory permissions and registrations from multiple other government departments
History of Violations and Previous Orders
The panchayat stated that the establishment was functioning in "blatant violation of legal provisions" and that serious irregularities were discovered during the verification of their permits. The matter of illegal construction at the site has resurfaced as part of this investigation.
Previously, the panchayat had issued an order against unauthorized structures being used for commercial purposes at the same location. Although the management had challenged this order before the additional director of panchayats and initially secured a stay on demolition, this stay was conditional upon the cessation of all illegal commercial activities—a condition the club reportedly failed to meet.
Upcoming Hearing and Potential Consequences
The panchayat secretary has summoned the club owner for a personal hearing scheduled for February 20. The owner has been directed to produce all relevant documents during this proceeding. The notice contains a clear warning that failure to appear or provide a written explanation will result in an ex-parte decision and the immediate issuance of final orders for closure.
This case highlights the increasing scrutiny being applied to commercial establishments in Goa that may be operating without proper authorization, and demonstrates the panchayat's commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance within its jurisdiction.
