Offenders will face a fine or up to three months in prison
One of India’s most well-know party destinations is about to implement strong measures to tackle drunkenness. From 15 August this year, the state of Goa will prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks on its beaches.
The local government has approved an amendment to an existing bill that bans cooking food on the beaches. Offenders of the ban, which now includes beer, liquor and other types of alcoholic beverages, will face strict penalisation.
“Nobody can drink alcohol on our beaches and tourist places anymore. Bottles cannot be carried there. Food also cannot be cooked in the open. All these offences will attract a fine of Rs 2,000 ($28),” said Goa’s minister of tourism Manohar Ajgaonkar.
“If the fine is not paid, an offence can be registered. The offender can be arrested and imprisoned for three months.”
Chief minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, said that he had found it upsetting when people were drinking beer on the footpath constructed along a river in the city of Panaji.
Parrikar has also said that he would strengthen the rules against littering and the use of plastic bags. He claims that people keep throwing garbage into the sea as a part of their religious rituals.
From next month on, people carrying plastic bags in the city or on the beaches will face a higher fine. From current $1.40 (Rs 100) the fine will increase to $35 (Rs 2,500).
“Every day we get the old bridge cleaned up. Every day I see some flowers being thrown on it. People think that they are doing great religious service by throwing flowers in the water. You can throw flowers in the water but not in plastic bags. Half the flowers are thrown on the footpath on the bridge,” Parrikar said.
