Team Herald
PANJIM: Affected liquor traders have been asked to have patience and faith in Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to get themselves exempted and relief from the ban on their businesses.
All stakeholders affected by the Supreme Court ban on liquor along highways met on Wednesday at Taleigao Community Hall.
Goa Liquor Traders Association President Dattaprasad Naik requested affected liquor businessmen to remain united until all get relief from the ban. He informed the traders that a petition in the Supreme Court is the only solution to the problem.
“By the time the government could be formed and the floor test and all the matters related to the Assembly were sorted out, we landed into trouble. In addition, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi gave his opinion that bar and restaurant and hotels are not included. However, the final judgment brought the bad news that all the businesses will be affected by the order,” he stated.
He further stated that after implementing the relaxation of 220 metres as the distance from the highways for local bodies with a population of 20,000 and less, some 1000 licences will be saved. Out of these, around 850 are bars and the remaining are wine shops.
Stating that the Chief Minister has assured them to file a petition before the Supreme Court and get all the affected dealers out of the crisis, Naik said, “I request you all, those present for the meeting and those who could not come today, to remain united as one family till we are successful in getting relief to all the businesses.”
Meanwhile, figures emphasizing the importance of the trade were presented at the meeting. According to the association, about 47 percent of Goans are drinkers and they contribute up to 92 lakh of customers, even if every drinking Goan had a drink on an alternate day. Further, the liquor trade industry contributes to around Rs 100 crore and the 1000 licenses that have got relief from the ban itself contribute to around Rs 8.5 crore.
