Bardez, June 16: The Village Panchayat of Assagao has sealed the premises of the popular restaurant and bar Gunpowder at Saunta Vaddo, Assagao, citing unauthorized commercial operations without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) or licence.
According to a notice issued under Section 72-A of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, the Panchayat passed a resolution during its meeting on May 30, 2026, to seal House No. 6 at Saunta Vaddo, Assagao, where the establishment is located.
The notice states that proprietor Satish Warnier had applied for renewal of the NOC on March 10, 2026. However, the Panchayat rejected the application through a resolution adopted on March 28, 2026, and communicated the decision to him on April 8, 2026. Despite this, commercial activities allegedly continued even after the expiry of the previous NOC on March 31, 2023.
Records show that a show-cause notice was issued on April 27, 2026, asking the proprietor to explain why the premises should not be sealed. A personal hearing was held on May 11, 2026, during which Warnier reportedly sought 15 days to submit a written reply. The Panchayat claims that no reply or representation was received thereafter.
Following deliberations, the Panchayat proceeded with sealing the premises on June 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. onwards. The proprietor was directed to remove all movable items, including stock, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, before the sealing. The Panchayat also warned that any obstruction or resistance would be dealt with according to law, with assistance from competent authorities.
This action comes amid growing scrutiny of commercial establishments operating in village panchayat areas without proper approvals and licences.