No permission sought for Sunburn fest in GOA?

Panaji : While the organizers of India?s biggest musical event – Sunburn have already announced the festival?s launch at Goa?s Candolim beach starting on December 27, Goa Home Ministry on Tuesday said that they are yet to give permission.

?I have not received any file seeking permission for Sunburn festival. Until the Home Department grants permission, the festival cannot happen,? state Home Minister Ravi Naik said.

The minister said that any beach parties will now have to route through Home Department for permission. ?Except traditional parties, all other parties have to be screened by the police. For Sunburn party, the ministry will inspect it from law and order angle,? he stated.

Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi said that the deputy collector has already sent the proposal to the department but it is up to the Home Ministry to decide on the licenses for the party.

Sunburn organizers meanwhile claimed that everything is in place to hold the mega-event.

?We have already applied seeking permission to hold the event. Everything is on schedule. We have obtained all required permissions including from the local Panchayat,? Chief Executive Officer, Percept Sports and Entertainment Devraj Sanyal had told reporters last week.

The organizers also held a meeting with the tourism minister Nilkanth Halarnkar. The festival in its fourth year has already marketed its event through cyberspace and is expecting a crowd of around 20,000.

To a question on the controversy wherein a Bangalorian girl died due to suspected drug overdose at the Sunburn venue in 2009, the Home Minister rubbished allegations of drug mafia in the State.

?I don?t agree there is drug mafia in Goa. You yourselves can go to the beaches and see that no drug activity is carried out. Police officers and myself have personally monitored these places?Even the music is shut by 10pm,? he said.

(Reporting by John Edwards)