Supreme Court’s order to shut down liquor outlets close to National and State Highways has badly affected the Historical town of Cuncolim and Balli. All those dealing in liquor businesses are feeling the pinch. The Cuncolim and Assolna fish markets have been badly affected by this ruling.
From Sarzora to Balli Patem one will not find any liquor outlets. Although the 500-metre distance has been reduced to 225 mts more than one fourth of the bars have been closed down as most of them were situated close to the NH17. Around 40 outlets have been closed from Cuncolim to Balli stretch.
Knowing that the ruling would be forced upon them one day or the other, some of the bar owners have either decided to shift their location or have changed their business.
Of the outlets which have been closed, at least 12 wholesale shops were forced to close down their shutters. Also around 10 big bar and restaurants famous for their special food delicacies have already closed down.
Two big liquor outlets at Sarzora, two at Panzorcone, one in Cuncolim market, one at Demani, one at Payraband and four at Balli and Patem have closed down.
Due to this ban, around 300 persons have lost jobs, some of them working in the restaurants for over 20 years.
One of the employees, who was working at a Demani restaurant for the past 15 years, is become jobless. The 50-year old man is at crossroads now because he has to look after his family. He had never done any job except that of a waiter. Most of them, who lost their jobs because of the Supreme Court ruling, fall in the unorganised labour class.
Sources now wonder whether the government will rehabilitate those who lost their jobs.
The ban has not only affected the liquor outlets but also hit the fish vendors, shopkeepers, soda and soft drink suppliers. However, some of the taverns which do not fall under the SC jurisdiction are making hay with the ruling since they have started getting more business after the ban.
