PANJIM: A Day after State government decided not to renew the
license of the liquor outlets existing within 500 metres of the highway from
April 1, the Congress party has condemned the move stating is as “irresponsible
attitude”.
Speaking to media persons, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee
(GPCC) President Luizinho Faleiro said that the government move is completely
irresponsible and would hamper the tourism industry. “Government is making such
irresponsible statements. Has it even realized the consequence of its decision
not to renew license from April 1? Almost all licenses of liquor outlet will
get expire on March 31,” he said.
Faleiro said that such haste decision will have castigating
impact on the tourism sector. “Goa is a tourist State that attracts not only
domestic but international tourists. Liquor is part of tourism. In Goa,
everything is under control…you won’t find reckless drink and drive cases….Goa
is not Haryana,” he said.
Former Chief Minister claimed that the liquor business is livelihood
of hundreds of families and any such move will have devastating effect.
He said that Government should approach appropriate
authority seeking relaxation for the State by treating it as a different case.
The Supreme Court in December last year has order ban
on all the liquor shops within 500 metres of national and state highways across
the country, a move aimed at reducing drunken driving and road accidents that
claim thousands of lives every year.
As such, State Excise department has begun
the process of identifying the bars and restaurants and wholesale liquor
vendors whose licences would be suspended from March 31 onwards.
