MARGAO: Despite Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s assurance to the liquor vendors that he would work out a solution to their problem and his promise to file a review petition before the Supreme Court within two days, the vendors have decided to go ahead with the Margao bandh planned for Monday.
Parrikar met around 120 affected liquor vendors from Salcete during his visit to Margao on Sunday who apprised him of their problems.
After giving them a patient hearing, Parrikar reportedly assured them that he would work out a solution and requested them to have some patience and give him some time to resolve the issue.
Speaking to media persons, he said implementing the Supreme Court order and saving the livelihood of affected liquor vendors are two separate issues that need to be addressed.
He said the government would file a review petition before the Supreme Court within the next two days to seek some relief for Goa.
As for the livelihood of those affected, he said, the Excise Department has been directed not to cancel anybody’s licence even if the same is not renewed so that the affected person can renew the licence if and when he shifts the business to some other site.
While assuring the affected people that he was aware of their problems, Parrikar assured them that he would work out a solution.
Meanwhile, Adhik Usgaonkar revealed that liquor vendors will keep all their establishments in Margao closed on Monday. “We have also appealed to other vendors in Margao to down shutters if they feel ours is a genuine case,” said Usgaonkar adding that total Margao bandh will depend upon the response from other vendors.
