Panaji, July 23 (Inditop.com) Goa Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane Thursday said that the state government would amend the public health act to crack down on unregistered massage parlours in coastal areas of the state, which were allegedly fronts for prostitution.
The minister told the assembly that he was aware of what was happening in the guise of “massage parlours”, and that his ministry would tackle the issue on priority.
“We all know what is happening in some of the massage parlours. We will amend law to make it stringent and act against these outfits,” Rane said.
Replying to a query from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Vijay Pai Khot, who asked why spas and ayurvedic massage parlours were not registered with the health department, Rane said spas would also be brought under the ambit of the health ministry with new amendments.
“Does the health minister even know how many five star resorts there are in the state, which have spas and such parlours?” Khot asked.
“There should be a control on these activities which are mushrooming in the name of health spas and massage parlours. They have to be controlled. They are spreading prostitution all over the coast and tourism areas,” he added.
Goa’s beach areas are lined with massage parlours, several of which were raided in the last one year.
rounak