Fishing competitions carrying a total prize of more than Rs 1 lakh is prohibited in Eastern West Khasi Hills district.
The district magistrate in an order issued on August 23 under Section 144 CrPC also prohibits collection of entry fee of more that Rs 100 per fishing rod and holding competitions more than two times in one and the same pond..
The order was issued following complaints that certain individuals used to organise fishing competitions in various fish ponds located within the district by offering high attractive prize money totalling up to Rs. 15 lakh with ticket entry fee of not less than Rs. 500 per fishing rod per day.
“This order was necessitated to prevent misinterpretation and abuse of the provisions of the Amusement Act and exploitation of the poor with meagre earning and insecure livelihood,” the district magistrate said.
Violators will be prosecuted under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the order said.