Goa Govt Brings Bill to Ban Drinking on Beaches

The bill provides for a fine of Rs 2,000 for an individual & Rs 10,000 for a group for violation of the law.

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With the intention of making tourist hot-spots nuisance-free, the Goa government introduced a bill on Wednesday, 30 January, which bans drinking and cooking in opens paces including on the beaches.

Tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar introduced thelegislation in the Legislative Assembly.

The bill provides for a fine of Rs 2,000 for an individual and Rs 10,000 for a group of persons for violation of the law.

Interestingly, the bill, which amends the Goa TouristPlaces (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, puts the onus of ensuring that the new rule is observed on liquor vendors.

No person engaged in the business of sale of liquor “will allow its customer to carry bottles/cans containing liquor in tourist places”, the bill says.

The introduction to the bill says its objective is toprotect and preserve tourism potential of tourist places inGoa and keep them clean and free of nuisance.

Ajgaonkar also introduced an amendment to the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 2019, which makes it mandatory for hotels and other tourism establishments toregister with the department if they want to provide services online.

The three-day assembly session will end Thursday. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar tabled Budget.