PANJIM: Notwithstanding that
its counterparts in Maharashtra has challenged the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict
over highway liquor sale ban; the Goa Highway Affected Liquor Vendors
Association (GHLVA) is adamant that new State government approach the SC to
bail out the local liquor business from huge losses in future.
Another factor that independent
plea might not hold any weightage in the Apex Court, the newly formed umbrella
association has decided to adopt a wait and watch policy till March 11. “Even
if Maharashtra (State Liquor Merchants Association) has moved the SC, it
(court) cannot hear the application because of the code of conduct. It is
therefore better for us to wait till the election process ends rather than rush
on the matter,” GHLVA Convener Gaurish Dhond said speaking to Herald.
During the ongoing interim
period, the association is preparing a report about repercussions SC order will
have on the local businesses and State exchequer. This, Dhond said will be submitted
to the new government convincing it to challenge the order. “If the ban is
enforced, tourism sector will suffer a drastic fall, State will lose huge
revenue and employment of locals will be at stake. The State has to take up
the case (by challenging the order in SC). We will urge the new government in
power to petition the SC as there is little time in hand before the order
implementation,” he stated.
Dhond, also President of Goa
Hotel & Restaurant Association (GHRA), justified that association’s
plea alone might possibly not have the weightage in the court. “Our case will
be weak but nonetheless we are taking inputs from all the local and national
traders. The parent body is also consulting (SC lawyer) Harish Salve,” he
commented.
The traders associated with
the GHRA, Goa Liquor Traders’ Association and Bardez Bar Owners Association
have come together under the single banner to put up a fight against the
verdict.
The SC, on December 15, 2016
ordered that liquor outlets within 500 mtrs of State and National highways be
shut down after March 31, 2017. The Excise Department is on the verge of
completing its survey identifying the outlets which would be issued show cause
notices. The taluka level teams headed by mamlatdar will submit its
respective reports to the excise department on February 28.
