PANAJI:

Manohar Azgaonkar said the government was open to allowing

(EDM) festivals in the state, but did not want drugs to be part of such events. After a gap of three years, an EDM festival returned to the state last weekend albeit on a much smaller scale.

"We don't want drugs at EDM festivals. You enjoy and, if at all, drink

feni," Azgaonkar said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Four year ago, two deaths at an EDM festival were allegedly linked to drug overdose.

Goa lost the opportunity to host EDM festivals in 2017 and 2018 chiefly because organisers complained of exorbitant fees and delays in getting permission. The government charges Rs 1 crore as licence fee for a December EDM festival with respective departments charging additional fees .

Previously, these music festivals were held in December, during peak tourism season. Last weekend, the EDM festival Sunburn Klassique was held, albeit on a smaller scale compared to its earlier December version. Azgaonkar said he wants EDM festivals to be organised in Goa as they boost tourist footfalls.