The Goa Government told the High Court that postponing the Goa Seafood Festival at Miramar beach from February 9th to 11th is practically impossible. The case is set for a hearing tomorrow. This matter comes from a writ petition by former CCP councillor Patricia Pinto and 11 others challenging the decision to hold the festival at Miramar Beach. This contradicts a government policy established two decades ago, as confirmed in a 2000 affidavit by the tourism department, which vowed to cease food festivals on beaches.”
High Court that postponing the Goa Seafood Festival at Miramar beach
Panaji: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has once again postponed the matter concerning the proposed Goa Sea Food Festival at Miramar.
During the hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the Court about a change in Government policy regarding seafood festivals on beaches. He mentioned the cabinet’s approval of a new policy but requested time to file an application and affidavit when asked to produce copies of government decisions.
The Court instructed the Advocate General to provide copies of the traffic plan at Miramar during the festival. However, the petitioners did not receive these documents.
The Department of Tourism is set to organize a three-day Goa Sea Food Festival at Miramar from February 9 to 11, coinciding with the State Carnival.
Patricia Pinto, a former Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councillor, and 11 others from Panjim contested the Department of Tourism’s decision to proceed with the Goa Sea Food Festival on Miramar Beach, despite the Government’s policy banning food festivals on all state beaches.
The petitioners argued that organizing the Goa Sea Food Festival on Miramar Beach violated High Court orders from February 14, 2001, and December 14, 2004. They cited the Government’s earlier policy decisions in April 1999 and February 2000 to prohibit food festivals and activities that leave beaches dirty or unhygienic.
The petitioners also requested that the CCP Commissioner be directed not to grant permission for the Goa Sea Food Festival on Miramar beach.
Senior advocate Subodh Kantak, representing the Government, stated that while a blanket ban on sea food festivals on Goa’s beaches remains, the cabinet decided to permit the Goa Sea Food Festival at Miramar beach from February 9 to 11. However, the Government failed to provide the court with the specific decision despite being requested to do so.
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The High Court of Bombay at Goa criticized the State Government for its decision to hold a seafood festival on Miramar beach. The court questioned the rationale behind the decision, particularly in light of the ongoing construction in Panaji. The court also expressed concern about the delayed submission of festival documents and accused the government of bypassing both the court and concerned citizens.
