Drinking (alcohol) or cooking in public on the beaches in Goa will soon attract a fine of ₹2,000 or imprisonment up to three months.

An amendment to the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act to this effect was approved by the State Cabinet on Thursday.

Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar told press persons after the Cabinet meeting that the amendment would be taken to State Legislative Assembly in the upcoming session, which begins on January 29.

"This amendment has been brought for those who indulge in breaking bottles on the beach, cooking, and drinking alcohol in public places like beaches," Mr. Ajgaonkar declared.

"Bottles cannot be carried to beaches. Food also cannot be cooked in the open. All these offences will attract a fine of ₹2000. If the fine is not paid, an offence can be registered. The offender can be arrested and imprisoned for three months," the Minister said, adding, “Those committing the listed offences in groups will be fined ₹10,000.”

He also said that once the amendment comes into force after being passed by the State assembly, photographs of offenders could be sent across to the Tourism Ministry over Whatsapp to a special phone number, following which action would be taken within 12 hours.

The tourism and travel industry stakeholders and even some ruling party MLAs like Dy Speaker Michel Lobo have criticised the government for poor vision, failure to act against unruly tourists and for lack of will to attract "quality tourists" to Goa in the aftermath of decline in tourist arrivals in the State.