Porvorim: Even as opposition benches on Friday demanded that the magisterial inquiry report on the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident at Arpora be tabled in the House, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said his government has begun an extensive crackdown on tourism establishments operating without mandatory permissions.
The issue was raised during Question Hour when the Chief Minister was responding to a joint question tabled by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira.
Responding to questions from the opposition benches, the Chief Minister said that as part of the crackdown on illegally operating nightclubs, a total of 47 tourism-related premises were inspected in North Goa, of which 17 were sealed, while 39 were inspected in South Goa, of which five were sealed.
He said that all 22 establishments that were sealed lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the Birch by Romeo Lane club had operated under another name a few years back.
“The name of the club kept changing. The inquiry covers activities from 1999 when the tenanted land was given permission to run a club in violation of the law,” he said.
Sawant assured the House that action will be taken against all commercial establishments operating on tenanted lands.
During the discussion, Alemao demanded that the government provide data on how many establishments have violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) laws. He accused the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) of not performing its duties effectively.
Responding, Sawant said the CZMA received 534 complaints between 2021 and 2025, of which 336 demolition orders were issued. He added that the Coastal Zone Management Plan, 2011 has been finalized, while the 2019 plan will be finalized within a year.
Sawant further said that some establishments obtain permission to operate as restaurants and later apply for extensions to serve liquor, eventually converting their premises into nightclubs in violation of regulations.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that some clubs, including those associated with VIPs like Shilpa Shetty, were receiving protection from the government.
The Chief Minister clarified that “whether it is VIP or VVIP, no one will be given protection, and all must comply with mandatory rules.”
Regarding the Birch by Romeo Lane Arpora fire tragedy, Sawant said the magisterial inquiry has been completed and actions are being taken accordingly.
However, he refused to table the magisterial inquiry report, assuring that it would be made public only after the chargesheet in the case is filed.
He added that no one is spared; a Red Corner notice has been issued against Surinder Khosla, the owner of the Arpora club.
Sawant said maximum compensation has been paid to the victims, and the government will investigate the root cause, including why permission was granted for a nightclub on salt pans in 1999, where Birch by Romeo Lane was later set up.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas alleged that the Bastion club was allowed to continue functioning due to loopholes in the system. He also demanded that the magisterial inquiry report into the Arpora fire incident be tabled in the House.
The opposition later rushed to the well of the House demanding that the report be presented on the floor.
