Existing regulations on prohibition of alcohol consumption in public in Goa is shared as recent
Claim
Rating
Explanation
Many on social media claim Goa’s ban on drinking alcohol on beaches as a breaking news. A few of such claims can be seen here, here, here and here.
What is the truth?
Goa did not ban people from drinking alcohol on beaches recently. The ban was announced in 2013. The Goa Tourism Department banned drinking alcohol on beaches on 24, April 2013. It was said that the action was taken to reduce crime against women, and also would reduce littering on beaches. This news was published by several news media outlets including Times of India, The Hindu, and NDTV.
The Goa assembly in 2019 passed amendments to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001. It mentions that activities like consuming liquor or cooking food in open, littering waste, breaking glass bottles are prohibited in tourist places. Individuals violating the regulations will be fined Rs.2000 and if the violation is committed by more than one in a group, they are liable to pay a fine of Rs.10,000.
This piece of news on the amendmente was also published by several news media outlets.
Goa Legislative Assembly today passed amendments to Goa Tourist Place (Protection&Maintenance) Act 2001,which prohibits drinking alcohol,cooking in public places, including beaches & breaking of glass bottles in public. Individual offenders will be fined Rs. 2000 for the offence. pic.twitter.com/ZfajPo6JAE
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2019
The Goa assembly on 22, July 2022 passed amendments to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001. It is mentioned that those who violate any of the provisions in the act shall be punishable with fine not less than Rs.5000 but which may extend to Rs.50,000.
On 31, October 2022, Nikhil Desai, Director of Goa Tourism issued an order under ‘Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001. The order lists out ten prohibited activities mentioned in the said Act and directs the concerned police officers to act in aid of the orders of the competent authority. ‘The Print’ published an article on 31, October 2022 regarding the same.
Conclusion
It is found that already existing regulations on prohibition of drinking liquor or cooking in open and penalty for the violation in Goa is shared as breaking news.
