Now drinking at Goa beaches could land you in trouble. The BJP-led Goa government told the state legislative assembly that a severe action would be taken against people who will be caught drinking on the state beaches. It also said that if needed, the offenders could even be detained.
The step comes as the government wants the beaches to be clean and without any criminality. “We have also stopped people drinking on the beaches. We will not mind arresting them if required,” state tourism minister, Manohar Ajgaonkar told the House on Tuesday.
The minister said that the police had booked a few cases earlier against tourists caught drinking on beaches. “We will be amending the Tourist Trade Act, giving more powers… I have asked the tourist guards to be on the vigil against the sale of drugs. No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.”
In May this year, police detained people found drinking at public places. At a meeting, citizens had complained about drinking on beaches as well other public places.
The state also refused to withdraw the contract signed with the lifeguard agency to man the beaches. “The state government used to run lifeguard services in the past. But since the government could not run it in a satisfactory manner, it was outsourced to a private firm,” chief minister, Manohar Parrikar said.
