Now is probably a good time to stop dreaming about lazing on the beaches of Goa with a beer in hand. The state has just baned the consumption of alcohol in public places, including on its beaches. The Goa cabinet has approved the new, stricter law which provides for a fine of Rs2,000 or a jail term of up to three months. Those committing the offence in groups will be docked Rs10,000 each. The law is likely to be formally passed over the next two weeks.

"Nobody can drink alcohol on our beaches and tourist places any more. Bottles cannot be carried there. Food also cannot be cooked in the open. All these offences will attract a fine of Rs 2,000. If the fine is not paid, an offence can be registered. The offender can be arrested and imprisoned for three months," Goa's tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said earlier.

The law also provides penalties for shacks that allow guests to carry away bottles of liquor though, by some accounts, you will still be allowed to chug away as long as you are at the shack. Better check on the rules folks. Better to hit a bar than end up behind bars.