Team Herald
CANACONA: A total of 154 liquor establishments would have to close down if the SC order on liqour ban comes into force from April 1.The newly elected president of Canacona Liquor Association (CLA), Gokuldas Naik when contacted stated that if this ban is implemented, the economy of Canacona and surrounding areas will get a beating and all allied businesses like chicken and mutton shops, fish market, vegetable, fruits, grocery which are directly dependent on our trade will also be hit. Besides the state treasury which is already hit hard after the closure of mining in Goa will also stand to lose valuable revenue.
Pratap Pednekar a wholesaler and treasurer of CLA stated that all traders who are in liquor business for so many decades and depend for their livelihood on liquor trade will be hit badly and will have to start afresh and this is impossible as all traders have loans and have extended credit facilities to their customers and which once closed will be impossible to pay or recover.
CLA had a meeting with Goa Liquor Traders Association (GLTA) in Canacona a few days back and have extended support to the traders and have promised to participate in the rasta roko and keep their shutters down if a bandh call is given to this effect asserted the secretary the CLA Abel Barretto.
