PANJIM: Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar on Friday said the liquor vends along highways should not be banned, but added that tourists creating nuisance should not be allowed.
“Liquor is our tradition. It is part of Goenkarponn. It cannot be banned. We can consume liquor but that should not disturb the people. Tourists visit Goa as part of enjoyment, drink and create ruckus. This disturbs our culture and environment. Such nuisance is not to be allowed,” Azgaonkar said on the sidelines of a function on Friday.
Azgaonkar is also keen on bringing back Sunburn and Supersonic EDMs on the condition that the organisers maintain Goa’s culture. “I will try to bring EDMs like Sunburn and others to Goa, provided they do not destroy Goa’s culture. I am studying the matter,” he said.
Percept, the organisers of Sunburn, and LIVE Viacom18, the makers of Vh1 Supersonic had pulled out of Goa and moved to Pune last year after former Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar denied permissions to the EDM festivals between December 15 and January 15.
The government had also turned down permission to hold both festivals simultaneously. Both organizers were adamant on holding the festivals at their locations of choice in the northern coastal belt in the last week of December.
Responding to a media query on the ban on late night parties amidst contradictory statements from two ministers, Azgaonkar said that the ban would affect tourism.
“The ban on late night parties is a Supreme Court order but if it is lifted, the tourism industry will get a boost. Late night parties, specially wedding parties, have been part of our tradition for ages. Certain sections are seeking relaxation in timing, but the activities should not affect the general public,” he said adding that the government would not allow relaxation if there is opposition from the people.
Goa Forward minister Vinod Paliencar has demanded a complete stop to late night parties, while Vijai Sardesai had questioned that if there is no music after 10 pm, how will it work?
