GUILHERME ALMEIDA
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Serving guests with liquor at birthday, anniversary parties etc in halls, clubs and open air halls in Salcete now requires the host to pay excise fees by way of “occasional licences” or face attachment of the liquor goods by excise officials.
A notice despatched by Salcete taluka Excise Inspector Nilesh Naik to various clubs and open air halls, including some church-owned halls, has kicked up a row, even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar promised to look into the matter when pointed out that people will now have to pay excise license fees to serve guests with liquor even at birthday and other parties.
When Herald contacted Naik to throw light on the notice served on clubs and halls, he said the move is aimed at mopping up revenue for the government. What’s interesting to note is that the excise inspector has admitted that his office has not received any government circular to bring under the excise net private parties held in halls, saying he has acted as per the government notification issued in the past. “By this notice, clubs, halls and open air halls will have to obtain occasional license from the excise office to serve or sell liquor on special occasions. My notice is based on a government notification, which states that you require a license to serve liquor at parties. Failure to obtain the occasional licenses will result in attachment of the liquor goods. The party will also be booked for violating the provisions of the Goa Excise Act & Rules, 1964”, he warned.
Some parishes in Salcete, which lease out halls for private functions, are believed to have either announced or displayed the notice in their notice boards. Dramapur-Sirlim panch member, Domnick Noronha slammed the government and the Excise Department for bringing private parties under the excise net. “People should have no objection if organisers of commercial events and dances, where liquor is being sold, are made to pay excise fees. But, the decision to levy excise fees on birthday parties, first holy communion and other receptions, where guests are served with liquor, cannot be accepted. At parties, liquor is not sold for the guests, but they are only served.
“Moreover, people do not hold their private parties in halls and clubs because they have money, but for want of adequate space at home to accommodate the guests”, he said, while saying the minority community, which prefers to hold their parties outdoor will be the worst hit by the notice.
By this notice, clubs, halls and open air halls will have to obtain occasional license from the excise office to serve or sell liquor on special occasions birthday, anniversary parties etc…
