PANJIM: Extending support to liquor traders affected by the Supreme Court ban, the Congress on Wednesday demanded that the BJP-led government immediately de-notify National and State highways passing through Goa as a relief to the liquor outlets located within 500 meters of the highways. The party also urged the government to issue an ordinance in a bid to grant protection to 3000-odd liquor serving units.
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) under Chandrakant Kavalekar met Wednesday morning and slammed the BJP government for the delay in filing a review petition before the Apex Court seeking relaxation and resolved to support the liquor industry raising serious concerns about a possible 2012 mining-like crisis in the State.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Kavalekar said the CLP resolved to support the liquor traders in their fight. “We have seen what happened after government delayed in getting relief from Supreme Court in the mining crisis. Lakhs of people were left jobless. We foresee a similar situation for the liquor industry. Government does not seem to be serious,” he said.
“If the liquor traders call for Goa bandh as a mark of their protest against government failure to act, Congress will extend full support,” he added.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Luizinho Faleiro slammed the government for failing to approach Court with a review writ petition explaining that Goa is a special case. “Even now, though it is late, government needs to file a writ petition immediately and not wait for two months. We are ready to give full support,” he said.
“The fresh order by the Apex Court is crystal clear. Based on that, the closure notices are already being served to liquor traders. The only option before the government is to de-notify all State and National highways and give immediate relief to the affected parties. Many States have adopted a similar method and provided protection to the liquor outlets,” the former Chief Minister said.
“Also, government can go for an ordinance, as liquor comes under the concurrent list as per the Constitution. We have our own Excise Law under which government can impose directions,” Faleiro said.
The Congress leader pointed out that former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s failure to take up the matter in the right direction soon after the order was issued in December last year, has led to the current mess. “As per our information, Central Government through their affidavit supported the Supreme Court ban and hence, the BJP ruled State did not approach the court raising objections. They made people suffer,” he said.
