A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the
social norms and rules and responsibilities of, or proper
practices for, an individual, party or organisation. In
the context of the upcoming state elections slated to
happen on February 4, under the code of conduct,
the district administration in North and South Goa has
ordered that all shops, clubs, pubs, provision stores and
any establishment serving liquor should be shut at 11 pm
every day. The order will prevail till the code of conduct
continues to be in force till February 2, 2017. As a natural
result, the worst affected is the tourism industry in Goa
and its stakeholders. And to further worsen matters, the
questions are being raised on partial implementation of
the code.
Recently, Lana De Souza who runs The Riverhouse
Gastropub and Deli in Arpora with her business partner
Spiro Grana, took to social media to express her
displeasure over disparity in the implementation of the
code of conduct. Lana had posted, “(Earlier this week)
a friend of mine was playing at a well known venue in
Morjim. It was packed and their bar was open till 8 am
serving alcohol to all. Isn’t our dear CM from that side? If
they are going to enforce something like this, it should
be applicable to all of us or just not bother at all.”
According to industry experts, if the demonetisation
process was responsible for crippling the tourism
during the peak season in the month of December, the
implementation of the code of conduct has destroyed
whatever chances Goa had of recovering from the
shock. De Souza says, “Goa has a tourist season of 6
months; it (code of conduct) has come at a time when
we are in the last few months of that period. What do
we do instead? We open up earlier, we have day parties,
sunset parties, happy hours in the afternoons, etc.
Unfortunately, we have no choice so we put a smile on
our face, think positive and learn to adapt as there is no
other option.”
Nandan Kudchadkar, owner of one of the most
popular nightclubs in Goa – LPK Waterfront, claims to
have been left with no choice but to keep his business
shut temporarily. Kudchadkar says, “People start coming
in only at about 10:30 pm. How do you take the glasses
away from their hands after 11 pm? The funny part
is, those running illegal businesses without licenses,
continue to serve alcohol till the wee hours, but those
operating legally are the ones made to follow these
laws.” Another restaurateur from Candolim who does not
wish to be named, says, “The business has been really
bad. The code of conduct has kept not only the partygoers
away, but the regular diners too. People prefer
to stay indoors where they can drink without any time
restrictions and order the food in.”
To give a better understanding of the hit that the
industry has taken, Kudchadkar talks numbers: “My salary
is 15 lakhs per month; and now I’m facing losses to the
tune of multiple crores.” He then goes on to question
the idea behind the implementation of this law. “By law,
it is okay to drink all day long till 11 pm; will a person’s
thought process change is they continue to consume
alcohol post 11 pm? Does this theory make any sense? I
can understand if all forms of intoxication are completely
banned from about 3 days prior to the polls. But till then,
why should the tourists and the business operators
dependent on them, suffer?”
Goa could do with some answers, please.
