Goa minister seeks time to respond on Playboy club issue

Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar has sought time to respond to the Calling Attention motion moved by Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Michael Lobo on the issue of Playboy Club, which has sought permission to open a branch in the state.

Parulekar told the Legislative Assembly that he has asked the department to give detailed information on the issue.

"I will answer this next Monday," the minister said, refusing to entertain the Calling Attention motion.

Lobo, representing the constituency where the US-based Playboy Club has sought permission to start its facility, had moved the Calling Attention motion claiming that there is fear and anxiety in the minds of people of Calangute in particular, and Goa in general, over the tourism department's reported move to permit 'Playboy Café'.

The motion names Agnelo Fernandes, former Congress legislator, at whose property the club is reportedly proposed at Candolim beach.

On Monday, Lobo had threatened to go on a hunger strike if state government grants permission for Playboy club in Goa.

Parulekar had told reporters yesterday that the tourism department is yet to issue permission for the club.

He had also said that the club would not be allowed if it indulged in vulgarity.

Image: A dealer shuffles cards at a Playboy Club in Las Vegas
Photographs: Steve Marcus/Reuters