Goa village imposes a 'Swachhata tax' on tourists clicking photographs

Parra, a scenic village in North Goa that has been featured in several Bollywood movies and commercials has imposed a 'Swachhata Tax' or Photography tax. The tax requires Tourists to pay for clicking photographs. Tourists, as well as locals, will have to pay the tax if they click photos on the scenic road. The tax has been imposed by the village Panchayat. 

"To pay Rs 500 for a photograph is seriously wrong"

The imposition of the tax has been highly criticised by locals who feel that the tax will deter tourists from visiting the village. The matter came to light when a video showing tourists being charged surfaced online and went viral. The video was shot by a village local Paul Fernandes. Fernandes said he came to know about the new tax when his relatives were charged Rs.500 for clicking a photograph, "To pay Rs 500 for a photograph is seriously wrong," he said. "Nowhere in the country, there is a photography charge. There are scenic places across Goa. If it happens, it will happen in many villages which is not good for tourism." he further added. 

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Locals oppose the tax

Further talking about the tax, Paul Fernandes said the village panchayat has every right to impose the tax on commercial shoots, but it is wrong to charge individuals. D'Souza said the panchayat was harassing the tourists under the guise of "swachhata tax", adding that it can affect tourism in the village. "When tourists come here, locals, as well as the government, earn revenue," he said. 

"This road has been featured in many Bollywood and international films. Many tourists come because of the scenic beauty here. This is wrong on the part of the panchayat to charge because it is god-given beauty," Paul Fernandes said. Parra is also the village of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and has been featured in a number of Bollywood movies like 'Dear Zindagi' and 'Barfi'. 

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(With ANI inputs)