This is with reference to the news report 'Siolim bar closed for serving liquor beyond permissible hours; (TGE), Sept. 14). While every effort is being made by the Goa police to curb late night drinking and drunk driving by posting police in plain clothes outside bars and restaurants, to keep tabs on vehicles parked outside these places, it is shocking that there are Excise laws that permit drinking even till 3-4 am, by paying up to Rs 5 lakh , over and above the regular licence fee of Rs 1 lakh, for drinking up to 11 pm. A mockery of the social order to say the least. Secondly, it is worthwhile mentioning, that just as we have rules that prohibit the use of loud music after the 10 pm deadline , why don't we have laws that also restrict public drinking at bars and restaurants to 11 pm latest. This will go a long way in eradicating the menace of late night drinking and drunk driving. We need to do some serious thinking on the subject, to salvage the tarnished image of this once beautiful and peaceful paradise.
