the Goa bench of the Bombay high court has banned the playing of loud amplified music between 10 pm and 7 am throughout the state. The interim order, issued in response to a public interest litigation filed by the Goa Environment Federation, will remain in force till further orders. The petitioner pointed out that the authorities had issued licences in violation of the provisions the Control of Music and Noise Act to enable vested interests like tourist lobbies and politicians patronise such illegal activities.
The court has also withdrawn the powers of the district magistrate and the sub-divisional magistrate to grant licences for playing amplified music in open air places. Only in exceptional cases, the state home secretary has been authorised to grant such licences. Though the Christmas period passed without a hitch due to the government's decision to permit dancing and music till 6 am, the court action puts a question mark on the night dances of the annual Carnival scheduled for March.
The court order will bring relief to the long-suffering locals who have been subjected to all-night dances accompanied by loud amplified music -- causing many to develop insomnia.
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