SANTOSH NAIK

 

PONDA: The Dulapkar family of Ponda is worried. Their Visranti Bar and Restaurant in Dada Vaidya Chowk, could soon stop to exist as it comes within the ambit of the Supreme Court order that bans liquor outlets along highways and within 500 metres of highways.

Speaking to Herald, Surendra Dulapkar said, “I am tense these past few days reading about the closure of the business. The SC order will affect us. My family has been dependent of this business for the past 25 years but the SC order has placed a major question mark on our survival.

“I demand that the State government urgently appeal in the SC. Our family comprises of 11 members. My wife, children and other family members are worried. We had a loan and we don’t know what to do next. If our shops are closed will the government give us jobs? We will remain unemployed.”

He is not the only one who is worried of the future, as about 290 of the 790 Excise Department licensed outlets could face closure in Ponda. Excise Inspector Amol Harwalkar said they have started conducting a survey of the outlets.

Suryakant Sawant, who runs a bar in a rented premises in Ponda market said he is disturbed since he has no idea how to run any other business. His bar was recognised as a taverna during the Portuguese regime but now faces the threat of closure. “My family of five is dependent on this income for our livelihood.”

He explained that around two decades ago the highway bypass was constructed on the outskirts of Ponda but the old roads still have the status of NH and though Ponda is more than 500 metres from the highway bypass, the threat of closure exists as the old highway roads still enjoy the status of State highway.

Quite simply, it is not the judiciary but the government, which could have, and perhaps still can save the livelihoods of so many.