Team Herald
MARGAO: The Highway bar and wine store ban affected rural liquor vendors today met the TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai at his office. The vendors complained that they were left out in the changes made to give relief to the urban vendors. The vendors have complained of harassment and have requested the Minister to give his take on how the Government plans to give them relief.
Several vendors from rural areas, whose licences now remain cancelled, came and met the TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai. “The bars and wine stores in urban areas were given relief and we were left out. The rural bars are in fact the ones which are sources of only livelihoods for the owners and needs to be helped” said the delegation.
The delegation also sought the plan of the Government on reviewing the SC order to give relief to these affected vendors. “Is the Government going to move ahead and file a review with the SC or are the vendors required to file the same which will be backed up by the Government is what we want to know,” said some vendors.
Vijai assured them he will raise the issue at the next cabinet meeting. “Their grievances are genuine as these are the vendors who have got left out,” said Vijai.
“I have spoken with the Excise commissioner and convinced him on the fact that the sons of the soil have to be protected,” said Vijai.
