PANJIM: Congress on Friday alleged that the Central Government’s “arbitrary” and “irresponsible” decision to convert 21 roads in Goa, including State highways and District roads, into National Highways would have a wider impact on the liquor outlet ban.
“Central Government in connivance with the State has in-principle granted permission to convert nearly 229 kms of road stretch as National Highways. Its implication would be wider as nearly 90 percent of liquor outlets, including bars and restaurants located within 500 meters of highways would face the axe as per Supreme Court order,” Congress President Luizinho Faleiro told media persons.
Faleiro said the Congress condemns the Central and State governments’ decision which is highly insensitive, arbitrary, irresponsible, draconian and anti-Goan. “What is to worry here is that the decisions, which are going to affect the people directly, are being taken without consulting or taking people into confidence,” he said.
The former Chief Minister pointed out that if the Centre goes ahead with the proposal and notifies 21 roads in the state that has two State highways and 12 major district roads, then nearly 90 percent of the liquor outlets located within 500 meters will come under the Supreme Court ambit. “Livelihood of thousands will be affected. It will prove to be a disaster to the State and tourism industry in particular. It will bring misery to people of Goa,” Faleiro stated.
Congress demanded that the State immediately file a review petition in the Supreme Court, putting up a strong case for relaxation of the ban. “State will have to prepare an excise policy by framing proper, stringent rules. The same would have to be placed before the Supreme Court. We will have to convince the Court that Goa is a special case and hence needs to be exempted from its order,” Faleiro said.
Stating that the solution to the crisis would be their priority once voted to power, Congress is in the process of forming a special ‘Tourism- Bar affected People’ Cell’ that will take up the matter at State level.
