DEVENDRA GAONKAR
VALPOI: The Supreme Court order banning liquor shops operating within 500 metres of the state and national highways will also affect the traditional feni and urrack manufacturers of Sattari taluka.
On December 15, 2016, the Apex Court order banned liquor outlets from operating within 500 metres of state and national highways in the country from April 1.
For the past several years, Sattari taluka’s traditional brewers are famous for producing quality feni and urrack in Goa.
Last year, there were altogether 622 stills licence bidders in the taluka who were manufacturing Goa’s traditional feni and urrack, says Datta Gawde, Excise Inspector, Sattari.
He further says, “As per Excise Duty Act, at the first auction, bidders have to pay 50 per cent of amount first and the remaining 50 per cent after 15 days. The amount depends on bids. And for one still licence, they have to deposit Rs 100 in the bank.”
“Already, Sattari taluka has conducted the first and second auctions of stills licences and silk tender on February 22. This year, the number of stills licence bidders may be less, due to Supreme Court order banning liquor shops along the highways,” says Gawde.
“I am working hard to collect cashew and manufacture feni and urrack. I supply urrack and feni to liquor shops, which are located along the highways. The Supreme Court order banning liquor shops along the highways will affect us more. Nobody will be ready to buy our feni and urrack after the ban. So at present it is of no use to manufacture feni and urrack,” says Laxman Harwalkar, a resident of Aambedem village in Valpoi, who has been manufacturing the traditional urrack and feni for the past 18 years.
“I have been manufacturing 50 cans of feni and 30 cans of urrack for the last few years and have been supplying the same to the liquor shops and bars located along the highways. Now, if these liquor shops along the highways are closed, then we will run into losses,” says Bhanudas Salelkar, a resident of Hedode village.
“Since the last 25 years, I have been manufacturing feni and urrack. I have my own cashew plantation. The Supreme Court order banning liquor shops along the highways is not a bad decision. But in Goa, the main business is manufacturing feni and urrack. So the ban will affect these businessmen,” says Dhananjay Marathe, a resident of Dhave village.
“Tourists visit Goa for feni and urrack and once the SC order comes into force in the state, they will stop coming to Goa. As of now we have to stop manufacturing feni and urrack, feels Umesh Gaonkar, a resident of Velus village who has been manufacturing feni and urrack for the last 12 years.
