Which outlets will be affected the most?
The Supreme Court order dated December 15, 2016 states: All states and union territories shall forthwith cease and desist from granting licences for the sale of liquor along national and state highways; The prohibition shall extend to and include stretches of such highways which fall within the limits of a municipal corporation, city, town or local authority. Similarly, no shop for the sale of liquor shall be visible from a national or state highway, and/or directly accessible from a national or state highway and situated within a distance of 500 metres of the outer edge of the national or state highway or of a service lane along the highway.
Interpreting the order, the State Excise Department covered all the wholesalers/distributors, retailers in consumption and retail sale in pet bottle-convention including bars, in their survey, which amounted to 3210
However, the State government on Monday directed that only retail liquor outlets will face the axe as per the SC order, while wholesalers and bars and restaurants are exempted. Under this interpretation 789 retail outlets come under the purview of the order
Are wholesalers godowns also covered?
Wholesalers sell to licencees. As per one interpretation of the SC order, they are covered under the SC’s directions. As per the State government’s decision, wholesalers are exempted. Several wholesalers also have the retail liquor licences. If the SC order is enforced, both licences will not be entitled for renewal; while wholesalers will only lose their retail licence if the Goa government’s interpretation is put into effect
What about highway bars?
As per the SC order interpretation they will face the axe, if the State government’s interpretation and order prevails, they are safe
What does SC say on measurement?
No shop for the sale of liquor shall be visible from a national or state highway; directly accessible from a national or state highway and situated within a distance of 500 metres of the outer edge of the national or state highway or of a service lane along the highway
What is the liquor traders’ argument?
The judgment does not specify that the distance of 500 meters be measured by radius or perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the highway. They have requested that the distance to the liquor store be measured by accessible road from the highway, since many shops not visible from the highway have been singled out for closure
SC directive very clear on which outlets shouldn’t be licenced
– No shop for the sale of liquor shall be (i) visible from a national or state highway; (ii) directly accessible from a national or state highway and (iii) situated within a distance of 500 metres of the outer edge of the national or state highway or of a service lane along the highway
