Cops get tough with noise pollution norms

Cops get tough with noise pollution norms
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: With less than two weeks to the end of the season, the North Goa police have decided to come down heavily on not just those who play loud music, but also those who organise it. More than 25 hoteliers and owners of leading entertainment venues were called for a meeting with on Thursday and told in no uncertain terms to shut down music by 10 p.m.
“Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 are here to stay and the tourism industry needs to accept it. No amendment can be made and party organisers have to stop amplified music by 10 p.m,” said North Goa superintendent of police Bosco George.
The police won’t spare even couples celebrating their wedding nor masters of ceremony. “People wouldn’t only be fined for failing to stop amplified music but cases would be registered against the organisers, the persons who let out the premises party, people playing music and the masters of ceremony,” he said.
“Issuing a blanket ban on playing loud music after 10 p.m is not the solution. If the noise is within permissible limits, then it should be allowed,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza. Allan Pinto a popular compere said, “If it is the law, we will be forced to follow it. But more often than not, people bring pressure from politicians and this makes our job as the master of ceremony more difficult.” The tourism industry is also working out new means to continue playing music without noise pollution. Loud music out by 10 pm
Panaji: The North Goa police on Thursday decided to come down heavily on those playing loud music and those who organise it. The police have asked the hoteliers and event organisers to shut down music by 10 p.m.
Though under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and the Supreme Court directives no one can play loud music after 10 p.m, this law has been continuously violated, thanks to a state machinery that is sympathetic towards tourism and has turned a deaf ear to the protests.
The law is clear that every individual is entitled to eight hours of no noise pollution.The Goa police decision to tighten its act has dampened spirits as outdoor events in the state are invariably accompanied by loud music .There is no consensus though on permissible limits. “A mechanism needs to be in place to measure sound decibels. We are against disturbance but a blanket ban is not the solution,” said Tourism and Travel Association of Goa president Ralph D’Souza.

2008 May 16 Times Of India Goa