VASCO: The Vasco excise department officials on Thursday informed that 34 out of total 136 liquor outlets located in villages coming under Mormugao taluka may restart their business as usual in days to come as the recent resurvey conducted by the department has found these outlets located beyond the distance of liquor-prohibited areas near highways.
According to sources, following the Supreme Court’s first order to close liquor outlets within 500 meters of State and National highways, 136 liquor outlets in Mormugao taluka had to shut down their business.
Thereafter, the Supreme Court issued a new order and reduced the distance of liquor-prohibited areas near highways to 220 meters from 500 meters in towns where the population is 20,000 or less. Following this order, the Vasco Excise department carried out a resurvey of all affected liquor outlets and found that 34 of the 136 outlets are beyond the distance of liquor-prohibited areas near highways (220 and 500 meters).
“Recently, we completed the resurvey of all 136 affected liquor outlets. As per the new measurement 102 liquor outlets are still within the prohibited areas near highways, while 34 outlets were found located beyond the prohibited area (220-500 meters) and their licences may be renewed. We have already forwarded the survey report to the office of excise commissioner and we are waiting for a formal order for the renewal of licences of these 34 outlets,” a senior excise department officer told herald.
Meanwhile, out of 312 liquor outlets located within Mormugao municipal jurisdiction, the Vasco excise department has so far renewed 288 licences and 24 licenses are yet to be renewed due to various reasons.
