Goa has promised to ban public drinking, but can it?
The Manohar Parrikar government in Goa seems adamant to remove the "social ill" of public drinking. The CM has once again warned against the practice, this time with an added warning of a Rs. 5,000 fine. Earlier, he had directed police to crack down on illegal gambling, prostitution and drugs. But how far can such measures be implemented in India's "party destination"?
For Goa, tourism is the biggest employer bringing massive earnings
Till 2012, mining was the top employer in Goa, until a ban on such activities transferred the tag to tourism. As of November'17, the tourism industry in Goa was employing 10.2% of the state's workforce. The sector brings revenues of up to Rs. 15,000cr annually, just from foreign tourist arrivals. And among Goa's most popular "touristy" things is drinking at shacks on the beaches.
But drunk tourists often drive out other tourists, locals complain
However, not many know how to drink responsibly, especially domestic tourists, who create nuisance after getting drunk and discourage foreign tourists from visiting again, stakeholders claim. Goan business owners blame easily-available cheap alcohol and low-budget tourists. It might not be far from the truth: a NIMHANS study found that compared to the international standard alcohol unit of 30ml, Indians pour 60-270ml per peg.
3,000 outlets shut in Goa after SC liquor ban
Last year, the SC banned liquor shops along highways across the country. About 3,000 outlets in Goa had to shut down after the order. The government estimated the resultant loss in revenue at Rs. 7cr. This was excluding revenue loss to license-holders and their staff.
Parrikar govt also clamps down on gambling, casinos, "late-night parties"
The Parrikar government has cracked down on other practices too, apart from public drinking. In 2017, it said it is working towards prohibiting locals' entry into casinos and was cracking down on illegal gambling, prostitution and drugs. Not just that, police were also instructed to shut down "late-night" parties after 10pm which are not part of Goa's culture, according to Minister Vinod Palyekar.
West Bengal learnt the importance of liquor the hard way
But what happened in WB only goes to show the significance of liquor. After a rape, the government banned parties after 11pm, but a fall in revenues forced it to reconsider. Finally, it not only called off the time restriction, but also allowed bars in 3-star and above hotels to serve alcohol everyday, and said the state needs only 4.5 dry days instead of 12.
Goa needs to ensure it doesn't end up like WB
Goa is following suit. Parrikar has threatened fines for drinking in public places more than once. The Garbage Management Act would be amended to check careless dumping of rubbish. These will check "almost 90% issues related to nuisance," Parrikar said. But the social and economic costs of banning public drinking have to be analyzed and balanced against each other thoroughly before implementing it.
