PONDA: Ponda Bar and Restaurant Owners Association President Peter Fernandes along with office bearers complained that they suffering heavy losses after police have started keeping a vigil outside their premises.
“Fear of the cops issuing challans have kept customers at bay and as a result some wine shops in the vicinity were eating into their businesses,” said Fernandes.
“Ever since the Banastarim accident, the government started deputing police near bars with alcometers as a result of which customers shy away from coming here and bar owners are losing on business. Why will they come here if the cops keep challaning them,” Fernandes retorted and advised the government to depute police along the highway and penalise those drinking and driving.
“As compared to olden days, Goans consume alcohol in moderation. We know our customers and if they go beyond the limit then we drop them home. If they don’t drink at the bars then they will drink in presence of family and children which is even worse,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes said that infact the government should target those selling chilled bottles at wine shops as they were eating into the business of bar owners by running parallel bars and go beyond the stipulated time from 8 am to 8 pm.
