Shell out Rs-2,000 fine if you want to drink on Goa beaches. Yes, it's official now
Nuisance created by the drunken revellers is being cited as a reason behind such a move. Goa CM Manohar Parrikar had given hints about such a step.
In Short
- State cabinet has made amendments in the Tourism Act
- Drinking alcohol at public places will now attract a jail term as well
- The cabinet meet was chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar
You will have to pay Rs 2,000 fine and spend upto three months in jail if you cook and drink alcohol on the beaches of Goa.
The state cabinet made it official on Thursday when it made amendments in the tourism act. The amendment prohibits consumption of alcohol and cooking at public places.
"Today we have amended two laws in the tourism act. One is about the hotel booking after tourism registration. We have got few objections that some tours and travels agencies have done hotel bookings without registering themselves in tourism ministry. We can't allow any illegal activities, they will be jailed," Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar told ANI.
"The second amendment is that no one can bring alcohol bottle in public place or on the beach. If anybody is found guilty, that person will have to pay the fine of Rs 2,000 or serve up to three months in jail," he added.
The cabinet meeting was chaired by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar had hinted in September 2017 that the state wanted to ban liquor consumption in public places. He had cited nuisance of drunken revellers as the reason behind such a plan.
Earlier that year, North Goa District Police had ordered a crackdown against drinking at public places. The police told the media that they had received many complaints from the locals and tourists about drunkards breaking alcohol bottles on the beaches. Famous beaches like Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna, Morjim, and Arambol fall in North Goa.
Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country and attracts over four million tourists every year. The state is also popular for cheap alcohol thanks to a liberal excise regime.