Relax sound ban for midnight religious services: Venzy to CM

Colva: Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has written to chief minister Pramod Sawant to modify the notification issued on Thursday with regards to the sound ban and allow the use of amplified sound for religious services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
He further said that the same provision should also be provided for similar religious services held across churches on December 31 and January 1.
The MLA urged the government to respect the tradition of Goa’s minority community and provide relaxation during the festive period.
As per the latest notification, the use of amplified sound and public address systems has been banned from 10pm on all days and from midnight on special religious and cultural festive days of the year.
The corrigendum states that on cultural and religious festive occasions, the use of amplified loudspeakers and public address systems will be permitted only till midnight, whereas the earlier notification of February 2022 had permitted it until 6am.
Several churches and Catholic institutions traditionally hold outdoor midnight services across Goa on Christmas Eve.
With the ban on amplified sound beyond midnight, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over these services.