Team Herald
PORVORIM: The government has taken exception to liquor trade licence holders leasing out their licences to others for carrying out the business in the State and is in the process of imposing additional tax on such licence holders.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant informed the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that more than half of the liquor business is being carried out by non-Goans. “Bar business has been into existence in the State since the Portuguese time. Bar licences are being granted as a source of self-employment. However, more than half of the liquor business in the State is now run by outsiders and even foreigners.”
Stating that leasing out the licence to a third party is illegal, Sawant said, “Legally one cannot lease out the licence. If one wishes to lease out the licence and earn sitting at home, then, the government should also get the revenue and therefore we are contemplating levying additional fees on licence renewal of such licences which are being leased to others for carrying out the business.”
He informed the House that there are 101 taverns in the State along with 5988 bars apart from 253 wholesale outlets, 1498 retail outlets, 33 distilleries, 22 vineries, 2 breweries, 4 micro breweries and 21 country liquor breweries.
Stating that the Government receives revenue by issuing transport permit for liquor, Sawant said that after having discussions, the government would decide to increase the number of bottles permitted to be transported by individuals across the border.
“We will have to speak to the neighbouring States before we can announce (how many bottles of liquor an individual can carry across the border). If they allow then we can permit four bottles. Currently only two bottles are permitted, one Indian made foreign liquor and one Goan liquor”, he added.
He also informed the House that 98 percent of the liquor outlets which had been shut down due to the Supreme Court directions in 2017 have been restarted and the revenue generation in the past year has increased by 16.53 per cent to the tune of Rs 477 crore.
