VASCO/PANJIM: Liquor traders in Goa insist that the government challenge the Supreme Court (SC) order and denotify old highways in a bid to save thousands of local businessmen from losing their source of livelihood.
The statements came hours after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that the government will not file a review plea but will support the liquor traders’ petition.
Speaking in Vasco, Goa Liquor Traders Association (GLTA) President and the BJP candidate from Taleigao, Dattaprasad Naik said, “We have seen what happened to the review petition filed by Pondicherry Liquor Traders Association it has been thrown out by the Supreme Court. Just eight days ago, the Maharashtra Liquor Traders Association filed a review petition and they have been given dates. If we do the same we will be given dates and the matter will prolong for years but what about the relief?”
He added, “We strongly feel that it is the government that has to file the review petition and we have to be made a party. In its petition the State government should highlight the facts and reasoning as to why the order cannot be implemented in Goa, and why liquor traders in Goa should be given a relaxation. If the government files a review petition, it can save 4000 liquor traders and their dependents.”
Convener of Goa Highway Affected Liquor Vendors Association (GHALVA) Gaurish Dhond, also reacting to the CM’s remark said, “Government should be serious about taking up the matter in the SC. Let the new government be formed so that we approach it to challenge the order.”
The liquor vendors and tourism stakeholder Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) have been repeatedly seeking the government’s intervention citing costs. What is keeping them from filing an appeal is the high costs. “It is not only an expensive affair but even if we plan to approach the SC at this stage, it might not hear our plea owing to the election code,” he stated.
The umbrella association of three-related groups has also demanded that the government denotify the old highways as it could save many from losing their earnings.
