Mangaluru, August 27: Lok Sabha Member Nalin Kumar Kateel hailed the contributions of Christians in establishing social harmony in the society.

Speaking as a chief guest at the Chappara Muhoortha programme ahead of new Bishop’s Episcopal Ordination at Rosario Cathedral grounds here on Monday, the MP who appreciated the role of Mangaluru Bishop in building a healthy society, said that when the central government had announced the Swachh Bharat mission, it was the Mangaluru Bishop who conducted the programme in the city first. When there was a social  unrest in the city in September 2008, it was the Bishop of Mangaluru who took initiative to sort out the differences between the groups. In a way, the Christians have contributed a lot for the social harmony, he said promising his party support to the programme and new Bishop.

Former MLA JR Lobo said that as Mangaluru was known for peace and harmony, it was the duty of every individual to build the harmonious society.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said that Christians of Mangaluru diocese have been living harmoniously and requested the MP for his support to the programme.

Presiding over the programme, the Bishop appreciated the good will of the MP for attending the programme. Usually, the close relatives would be invited for Chappara Muhoortha. So, close guests were invited to the programme, he said.

Coordinator MP Noronha explained the importance of this historical event. Apostolic Administrator of Diocese Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Corporator Latheef, Chief Coordinator Fr. JB Crasta, Convener Fr. Onil D’Souza, Fr. Vincent Monthiero, Fr. Richard D’Souza, Fr. Vijay Victor Lobo, and others were Present.

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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.