Team Herald
PANJIM: Liquor traders have urged the Goa government to direct the Excise Commissioner to re-measure the distance of liquor vends from the highways before the enforcement of the code of conduct for the Panchayat elections, as this could save around 600 outlets.
“As an immediate solution to salvage business of 600 alcohol outlets, we hope Chief Minister (Manohar Parrikar) directs Excise Department to measure the motorable distance from the edge of the highway to the establishment before the code for Panchayat elections,” All Goa Liquor Traders Association President Dattaprasad Naik told Herald.
A delegation is expected to meet the CM on Thursday requesting prompt intervention. The Excise Commissionerate is also awaiting directions from the State government to carry out the re-measurement.
“There are several outlets located across inaccessible routes. A person has to take a long accessible route to reach it, but the taluka-level teams (constituted by the Excise Department) have measured as the crow flies. It needs to be amended,” Girish Gaunekar, owner of two liquor vends one of which is facing the axe, said.
Liquor traders are also expecting the government to file a review plea before the SC to save another 1000 outlets.
In a recent development, the SC is likely to announce a modification to its order in the second week of July on the plea of hotels and clubs seeking changes.
President of All Goa Hotels and Restaurant Owners Association and Convenor of Goa Highway Affected Liquor Vendors Association Gaurish Dhond said, “We are confident the government will come to the rescue of the affected liquor and bar traders. We need to explain and point out the situation of the State including the geographical structures to the SC, for relief,” he told Herald.
