NAVIN JHA
navin@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Liquor traders from Mormugao (under Municipal jurisdiction) will now restart their business after a gap of five long months. The State administration’s decision to direct all excise inspectors in-charge to renew the licences of the retail liquor sellers located within the municipal jurisdiction following SC relief has been a boost for these traders.
Over 300-odd liquor outlets (approximately under MMC jurisdiction), including 100 outlets from Vasco city itself, had to down their shutters following SC’s first order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres from National Highway(s). Many of them closed down their operations completely, many switched to selling other items. However, now, after the SC has granted some relief and with the renewal of licence, most of these outlets will again start their usual business.
“After the SC passed its first order banning sale of liquor within 500-meters of National Highway, I had to close down my liquor business and started selling other items like packed juice, colas, cashew nuts etc. In last five months, my financial condition had nosedived. Now, I am confident of better days,” said Gabriel D’Souza, owner of ‘Cecol’ stores.
Proprietor of ‘Rodrigues Wine Stores’ Joaquim Rodrigues, said: “Earlier, I was selling liquor as well as frozen items in my wine shop, however, after SC’s initial order, I had to shut down liquor business and was dependent on the income of packed frozen goods for sustenance. Now, with the relief given by SC, all liquor outlets from Vasco and Mormugao Constituency (under municipal limits) would start their operations shortly. It’s a good move by the government and a good decision taken by the Apex court. We want to thank Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for his support. We also hope that the government would initiate some prompt action to denotify NH17-A road, as promised so that even these outlets can start their routine operations,” he said.
Shripad Shetye, co-owner of ‘Hotel Anantashram’, Vasco, said, “This decision would help most of the bars under Vasco and Mormugao Constituency as the liquor outlets from these areas were suffering for more than five months. We are now waiting for the renewal of our licences as early as possible”.
