Goa will not be home to the country's first
Playboy club with the state government deciding to reject a proposal for
opening this facility at Candolim beach amid a controversy that it
would promote vulgarism. Bowing to pressure from within ruling BJP
against the US-based Playboy club's move to open a branch in the
tourist state, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the
application would not be considered by his government on "technical
grounds". "The Playboy club's application for setting up the facility
in beach shack would be rejected as shack licences are usually given to
individuals and not to the companies", Parrikar told the state Assembly. Technically, it is not possible for the state government to grant
license to Playboy club, he added. Goa attracts 24 lakh tourists, both
foreign and domestic, annually. The Playboy club, a chain of nightclubs
and resorts, had applied for setting up its facility in a beach shack
at Candolim beach as per its business plan to open 120 clubs, bars and
cafes in India by 2022. However, the proposed venture faced stringent
opposition, spearheaded by BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who alleged that the
club will promote "vulgarity" and threatened hunger strike if the
enterprise is allowed to operate in the state. He had also raised the
issue on the floor of the House in the form of calling attention motion.
Replying to the Calling Attention Motion, Tourism Minister Dilip
Parulekar said there had been a lot of debate on promotion of vulgarity
once Playboy club is set up. "We all are aware of how prostitution is
rampant in the coastal belt", he said. Parulekar said the application
was received in the name of Playboy club to build a beach shack and was
submitted to the government by former MLA Agnelo Fernandes. "As per the
state government's shack policy, one can not approve applications in
the brand name; one has to apply in his name", Parulekar explained. He
said the department has already given permission for 350 shacks on
government land and 600 in private properties. "The department found
that the application by the club does not fall under the legal purview",
the minister added.
In deference to a flurry of controversy surrounding the planned Playboy club launch, a new customized design for the Indian bunny uniform was also unveiled after the iconic costume was reworked.
In deference to a flurry of controversy surrounding the planned Playboy club launch, a new customized design for the Indian bunny uniform was also unveiled after the iconic costume was reworked.
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