PANJIM: The three-member ministerial committee to identify and declare areas contiguous with towns and municipalities as urban areas has given its nod to grant relief to 700-odd liquor outlets that feared permanent closure in view of the Supreme Court order on highway liquor ban.
The All Goa Bar Owners Association has thanked the government for salvaging business of 754 liquor operators. The association’s vice president Deepak Mahadeshri said that the government has approved the relief.
The SC’s latest order in February this year gave State governments the discretion to decide whether areas covered by local self governing bodies or areas adjacent to municipal areas should be exempted from its 2016 order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of the highway. The liquor operators, thereafter demanded that certain areas contiguous with towns and municipalities be declared as urban areas, so that relief to affected licencees be granted.
The three-member committee held a series of meetings and discussions to ensure relief.
