18 Feb 2020  |   11:00pm IST

Drinking on roadside during Carnival float parade banned

Govt says advisory is a part of the ban on drinking in public places

Team Herald

PANJIM: As the State gears up to host its annual Carnival festival on February 22, the Tourism Department has banned drinking on the roadside during the float parade. Minister for Tourism Manohar Ajgaonkar said the advisory is a part of the ‘ban on drinking in public places.’

“No person will be allowed to drink (alcohol) while witnessing the float parade. It is a part of ban on drinking in public places which is implemented in the State. Any person violating the law will face penalty,” he said, while addressing a press conference to unveil program for the four-day festivity, at Paryatan Bhavan on Tuesday.

Last year, the Goa Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the Goa Tourist Place (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, that prohibited drinking alcohol in public places, cooking and littering in tourist areas including beaches. Stores selling alcohol located in tourist places have since been barred from allowing customers to carry take-away bottles or cans containing liquor. 

Under the new amendments, individual violators are fined Rs 2,000 and if a group of people is involved, the fine is increased to Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the fines attracts arrest. 

Meanwhile, Carnival 2020 expects huge inflow of tourists with Ajgaonkar stating that they will continue to promote Goan culture and tradition. “We expect huge crowd of domestic and international tourists. We will reach the international level promoting our Goan culture and tradition,” the minister added. 

The float parade that will start from Panjim will thereafter be held at Margao, Quepem, Vasco, Curchorem, Mapusa and Morjim. The government will spend Rs 1.5 crore approx on the organization of these float parades.

The minister also added that Tourism Department is encouraging ‘clean’ floats showcasing the culture of the State while any float, which is not in the interest of the society, will be eliminated. “We can’t allow the floats like those who will make statement on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) or any other thing. Commercial floats are also discouraged,” he added.