PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the House that the revenue of the Excise Department has increased by Rs 34 crore and currently stands at Rs 900 crore.
Replying to discussions on the demands for Excise and Commercial Taxes, he said, “The revenue of the department has not decreased. We are issuing licences and permits on a fast-track basis.”
Regarding the Pernem Excise scam, the Chief Minister stated, “We have recovered Rs 27 lakh in that case and have suspended three individuals. One of them remains suspended. The case is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which will take action once the case is finalised.”
The Chief Minister added, “Internal audits are conducted from time to time. Strict vigilance is maintained at distilleries and warehouses. Last year, 112 cases were booked for violating rules. The process for obtaining a GI tag for urrak is underway, and a committee has been formed for it.”
MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira pointed out that an Excise Department official in Pernem had issued fake certificates in exchange for money.
He questioned how a UDC (Upper Division Clerk) could be responsible for a payment of Rs 27 lakh to the government and suggested that the government should investigate whether the accused
is involved in any other
businesses.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai remarked, “We have a wedding destination, but liquor comes from outside. There is a 100 percent scope for reducing excise duty on liquor.” Sardesai criticised the issuance of licenses within 100 metres of educational and religious institutions, arguing that it risks the well-being of students and worshippers. He also suggested that outsiders should not be allowed to run wine shops, citing the monopoly at Manohar International Airport as an example.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao stated, “The government has to be stricter and should not issue licenses for shops near educational institutions. Regardless of the fee, there are many outsiders who can afford it.” He noted that there are about 269 outlets within 100 metres of educational and religious institutions, with 63 in Mayem, 61 in Ponda, and 15 more in other locations. Alemao criticised the Excise Department for failing to address loopholes in levying or collecting excise licence fees.
Michael Lobo emphasised the need to revise the excise rate to align with other States and called for better control of drink-and-drive cases, noting that both the Home and Excise departments fall under the Chief Minister’s jurisdiction. “Goa should not be taken for granted,” he said.
Meanwhile, MLA Premendra Shet urged the government to ban liquor to help achieve the vision of a developed (Viksit) Goa, while suggesting that liquor production could continue.
