Cooking in the open in Goa will now be punishable with a fine of Rs 50,000/, according to the latest advisory of the Goa Tourism Board to tourists. In the first place , I wonder how many of the low-end tourists will be able to cough up this large sum when they can ill afford to check into a cheap hotel or a lodge, during their stay in Goa. Secondly, it is not only the tourists , but also the lamanis and working class who are often found cooking on street pavements and even sleeping overnight. Let us also not forget that in addition , we also have laws that forbid drinking in the open, throwing empty beer cans , bottles, plastic and garbage on our beaches, with heavy fines . Yet, no one cares, no one is fined and our beaches keep getting dirtier by the day. The latest fad being enjoyed by high-end tourists, is driving jeeps, SUVs and sports cars on our beaches in gay abandon and in defiance of the laws. What a 'free for all' to say the least in this glorious Goan paradise where laws exist only on paper.
