VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The late night life came to a standstill when all liquor selling establishments and eateries rolled down shutters at 11 pm following an order by the district magistrate in the wake of ensuing State Assembly election on Tuesday.
The order restricts working hours of bars, restaurants, eateries, food joints and liquor shops to 11 pm from tonight (Wednesday) onwards.
The timings will be further curtailed to 10 pm from February 6 till the counting date on March 6.
Excise officials along with policemen were seen patrolling the areas to enforce the order.
Sources said that Excise Department’s flying squads and inspectors in all 40 constituencies have intensified night vigil to ensure the order is abided, besides conducting routine checks and raids.
“Those found disobeying rules will be booked under election code of conduct. Their premises will also be raided and materials confiscated”, sources in the know told Herald.
The restrictions are imposed to ensure that liquor is not being used to entice voters and that there is no unnecessary nuisance in and around liquor outlets, most of which are open till late night.
The Election Commission’s order to enforcement agencies, reads “…issues have been discussed in detail, and came to conclusion that the closure time of these establishments may be fixed at 11 pm upto February 5 and 10 pm from February 6 onwards, till completion of the elections”.
Shutting down businesses before the usual time has indeed irked several commercial ventures arguing that the fresh rule will clearly impact their business.
A Calangute-based restaurant owner has questioned the wisdom of the Election Commission on issuing such an order.
“It’s disgusting”, was his instant reaction. “Not only many establishments would suffer monitory losses but it is also detrimental to tourism industry… dry days for two-to-three is understandable but two months is sickening”.
Sandesh Raiturcar, a South Goa-based restaurant owner reacted, “If someone wants to create mischief they can very well do even without getting drunk… What’s the logic in stopping bars? The prohibition upto 11 pm is acceptable but after a month it will be 10 pm… this is not acceptable”.
Miranda, who runs an overnight eatery in the capital, expressed apprehensions that fresh rules will leave late night tourists to starve.
“Why eateries have to be closed? What will happen if tourists come here after 11 pm? Do we expect them to stay hungry?”
Another unhappy restaurant manager Pramod Raikar asked whether excise officials will check bars in five star hotels when they are tightening noose around liquor selling premises and food serving places.
“When Excise Department issues special permits to bars to run till midnight how can they suddenly change the rules? If there are some trouble making bars than action should be taken but action cannot be blanket”, he said.
Several anguished businessmen have echoed that authorities need to be capable of policing while imposing such restrictions.
