Panjim:
Drinking alcohol at public places in Goa will attract heavy fine from August 15, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced today.
“There is something called civic responsibility. The footpath which is developed along the river in Panaji city is being used by the people for drinking beer,” he said.
The chief minister said, “There will be heavy fine for drinking in public from the next month. We will implement the decision from August 15 onwards”. However, he didn’t specify the amount.
He also said littering would also attract a steeper fine.The fine for carrying plastic bags will be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 2500.
Parrikar said that he thought this is the only way to control the menance. He also lashed out at the citizens who dump flowers by wrapping them in plastic in the Mandovi river after offering them to God.
“Every day we get the old bridge cleaned up. Every day I see some flowers being thrown on it. People think that they are doing great religious service by throwing flower in the water. You can throw flowers in water but not in plastic bags. Half the flowers are thrown on the footpath on the bridge,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister was addressing a gathering after a opening of the incubation centre at the state-run Economic Development Corporation.