Goa: Amidst the controversy over Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permission, the wine-cum-entertainment festival ‘Grape Escapade 2017’ is being held on the third day today.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is of the opinion that the event, which is being held by the riverside at Campal sports ground does not require the permission. However, to rule out further controversy in future, the corporation has approached the Sports department that owns the venue, to apply for a permanent permission.

“We have sent a letter to the Sports department to apply to the government for a blanket permission. Once it is granted, there will not be any need to apply for NOC for every single event to be held on this ground,” GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said.

On the eve of the commencement of the festival on Thursday, a social activist dragged the government to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for not obtaining CRZ permission despite the venue falling in the CRZ-II zone. The NGT had soon passed an order to hold back the festival till the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority decides on the permission. The GTDC has however contended that it does not require the permission, but has also taken the option for a blanket permission.

“We are taking the permission so that there is no attempt to freeze a government function. In this case, the petitioner is misleading the Court and wasting time of the Court as well as the government,” Cabral lamented.

He explained that the corporation had initially applied for CRZ permission but withdrew it later, which resulted into revocation of the order.

Notwithstanding the order, the Grape Escapade is on and has received not less than 50,000 visitors till date. The event concludes tomorrow.

Team TNV