Killing the industry with a code

While in every state they usually face elections once in a few years but Goa has now faced the State assembly, panchayat, in the South repolling and now in the north by-polls where the code of conduct has had a detrimental affect on the night life and restaurant industry.
While the local stakeholders in the industry point out that they are not against the concept of the code of conduct, they have questioned the peculiar situation they are facing where there seems to be a code of conduct every few months instead of after a few years. This coupled with issues that have taken the industry by storm such as demonetization in November, the ban on sale of liquor on highways in April and Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July. They have further questioned what happens if in the near future, another candidate decides to resign for which there will be by-polls again with no consideration of how it affects the nightlife industry. Especially in view of the fact that the code of conduct implemented during the state elections hit the tourism season. They point out that besides the tourists, non resident Goans who were down for the holidays were affected as well. At the same time, there are others who believe that the code of conduct is necessary and more should be done to ensure free and fair elections, while others feel the code of conduct has failed to effectively put a stop to practices that influence elections results and thus the purpose has been diluted while the industry continues to suffer.

There is no escaping the code of conduct because its the law. Having said this, I must also say that besides severely effecting the business community, the code of conduct hardly helps in meeting its objective of holding free and fair polls. What's the point in closing bars and restaurants early when politicians with clout have devised new unethical strategies of unfairly winning elections; strategies like wholesale ‘buying out' of all opponents? The Election Commission needs to do a rethink, weigh the pros and cons and rewrite the code of conduct as it is currently failing to meet its objective.
Jesuin George Fernandes, advertising

The code of conduct usually comes after a few years but this year it has happened more than once and the music industry in particular lost out a lot when it was implemented during the end of the season. Requesting all MLAs to decide beforehand. The people are suffering, nobody actually gains anything out of this, it's a cost to the State and then it also curbs businesses.
Armando Ferreira Alvares, DJ

I feel the code of conduct is a bit harsh.Businesses in Goa have been hard hit in the recent past by rash policies like demonetization, besides periodical elections like panchayat polls, state assembly, and now by-polls . How many times in a year does government intend to shut Goa and harass Goans in the form of elections and rash policies. Goa being a tourist destination, people come to spend their holidays here, only to be disappointed. Besides it is a revenue loss for hotel and pub owners. Who are not even compensated. We seem to be electing politicians who take people's mandate for granted and switch to different political parties as and when they like.
Konrad Rodrigues, musician

Tourism industry has already suffered this last year very badly due to government notifications such as demonetization, assembly and panchayat elections and now with MLAs resignations, it has put extra pressure on the Goa industry. The alcohol ban should not be imposed all over Goa. It's not the right decision as we have already suffered. The Election Commission should not impose the ban for more than 10 days before elections as well. We understand it's required for elections but elections are not supposed to take place so often in one year, especially just because of these resignations to stay in power.
Dixon Vaz, restaurateur and seafarer

Requesting the present MLAs: Incase any of you guys are thinking of resigning and jumping into another party, please do it now.. We really don't have the patience to deal with the code of conduct and dry days again and again and again !!!!! Nightlife is a major part of tourism in the State and its effecting us majorly!
Mackenzie Pereira, nightlife pioneer

The job of the Election Commission is to maintain order and offer a level playing field to all candidates as the electorate decide to cast their vote. Elections are a serious democratic process and so there cannot be business as usual even if the industry wishes it. In every electorate there are undecided voters who have the potential to swing a campaign, and history has shown that alcohol has been misused by candidates to lure voters. In saying that, the Election Commission has only brought more regulation which is a welcome option, as they also have powers of completely shutting down operations if they are compelled to. This kind of regulation should not be a problem for organised business.
Hansel Vaz, entreprenuer