TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Wine went off the stalls on the final day of the Grape Escapade, leaving people with just music and food at the wine festival in Panjim. Hours before the Grape Escapade could begin on January 23, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed that no sale of liquor be allowed on January 26, declaring it as a ‘dry day’.
Upset by the order, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has decided to petition Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention on the impractical and one-sided judgements of the tribunal, affecting State economy.
Speaking to Herald, GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said that it is contemplating approaching the Supreme Court against the NGT and petitioner Kashinath Shetye pleading for recovery of loss suffered due to the stoppage of sale of wine at the festival on January 26.
“Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar was of the clear opinion that the judiciary cannot decide on the economy of the State. Any decision hindering the State’s prospects and economy has to be only after hearing the State’s case,” Cabral said. He slammed NGT for the consequences the State has to face, especially in the tourism sector, due to this sudden order.
“Its past decision on sand mining still has consequences,” he said, adding, “The already shrinking tourism industry will now further go in doldrums.”
“Court needs to understand that, they should pass orders that are applicable for implementation. It’s very unfortunate that the orders of NGT are without studying the ground realities of Goa. The CRZ matter has nothing to do with the wine festival. We were not even given a chance to be heard,” Cabral, a BJP MLA, said accusing the State administration for blindly following the NGT order.
