Goa plans to ban liquor around exposition venue

Parrikar said restrictions would help ensure pilgrims don't attend the masses drunk.

Panaji:  Goa government plans to ban sale of liquor in and around the place where the decennial exposition of St Francis Xavier would be held, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the state assembly on Wednesday.

The feast would be celebrated at Old Goa, nine kilometers away from Panaji, from November 22 this year till January 4, 2015.

Parrikar said restrictions would help ensure pilgrims don't attend the masses drunk, reported Outlook.

"The sale of liquor would be prohibited around the church. What would be the prohibited area will be decided later on," he said.

The chief minister said the decision about prohibition would not be taken arbitrarily.

Local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar said since the exposition would be held over 45 days, such a long ban would affect the business.

Parrikar said locals would be taken into confidence before taking the decision.

Source: Outlook