The Panchayat of Parra village imposed 'Swachhta Tax' on the tourists is now scrapped temporarily. Parra is a famous village of Goa which is famous for its scenic village beauty. The village panchayat was levying a tax on tourists for clicking pictures or shooting videos along the iconic road leading t the village church.
The Swachhta tax amounted to Rs 100 to 500 for one single picture or video. The stakeholders of the tourism industry found it unfair and stated that this needs to be stopped immediately. According to Delilah Lobo, Para Sarpanch, the tax was a way to deal with the drunk tourists and the litter which was left behind by them. The tourists generally stop along the church road to click pictures and shoot videos. This often resulted in a disturbance in the traffic flow and litter all around.
Lobo further informed that the tax was imposed for the upkeep of the village panchayat. but this decision was criticised heavily by the tourists and, as a result, it is temporarily suspended.