Team Herald
PANJIM: The All Goa Liquor Traders Association (AGLTA) on Tuesday alleged that around 300 illegal liquor traders are operating along Goa’s coastline and demanded strict action against them.
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Speaking to reporters, AGLTA president Dattaprasad Naik said, “We have been observing for the last five six years that because of rates being less in Haryana, a huge quantity of stocks is coming to Goa. This is happening because many people from Haryana have taken liquor shops on lease in Goa and are selling liquor brought from their State. We have brought this to the notice of the Excise Department on various occasions, but no action has been taken.”
The association demanded proper inquiry into seizing of liquor reportedly worth over Rs 2 crore at Patradevi checkpost.
“We demand that a proper investigation be conducted and the main person/s who brought the huge consignment of liquor be arrested. We will come out with a detailed list of those dealers who are not from the State and bringing consignments from other States in Goa for the purpose of selling them. I warn them not to indulge in selling liquor illegally. We want a clean liquor industry in the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), State president Adv Amit Palekar on Tuesday alleged that a ruling party functionary was involved in the illegal import of liquor from Haryana and the illicit smuggling of liquor out of the coastal State.
Speaking to media persons at the party office, AAP State President Adv Amit Palekar raised serious concerns over the ongoing illegal activities related to the liquor trade. He alleged that while Goa’s liquor is being illegally exported to other States, liquor from Haryana is being smuggled into Goa, bypassing State regulations.
“This smuggling of liquor from Haryana to Goa and the illegal export of liquor out of Goa has led to a massive revenue loss for the State, running into crores of rupees,” he alleged.
“A few days back, a truck involved in the illegal transportation of liquor was intercepted. Excise inspector Dev Raut, who intercepted the truck, instead of receiving accolades was transferred,” alleged Adv Palekar.
“The truck laden with liquor bottles crossed Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra borders and reached Goa. Somebody connected to the BJP is involved in it. Why can’t the Enforcement Directorate investigate this excise scam which is much larger than what it seems,” he said.
Adv Palekar has called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged excise scam involving the illegal import of liquor from Haryana and the illicit smuggling of liquor out of the coastal State and causing revenue losses by evading duty.
