Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Tuesday welcomed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's announcement on fines for drinking and littering in public and further urged tourists to refrain from misbehaving with women under the influence of alcohol.
On Monday, Mr. Parrikar had announced that from August 15 those who drink alcohol in public would be fined ₹2,500. People found littering would also face steep fines. A notification in this regard would be issued shortly, he said.
Mr. Ajgaonkar ruled out the possibility that the fine might deter tourists from visiting. Instead, at a public function here on Tuesday, he said that a ₹2,500 fine was inadequate and should be hiked. "They [offenders] should be fined as much as possible. We want good tourists,” he added.
"Our Goa is famous all over the country and all over the world. People come here to see our culture and our natural beauty. Goa's discipline, culture and Goenkarponn (Goanness) should be preserved. There will be no compromises for anyone who is drunk and misbehaves," Mr. Ajgaonkar said.