PANJIM, JAN 4
Bailancho Saad, which has been protesting against the sale of alcohol and its promotion on Government premises, is trying to catch the attention of the visiting President Pratibha Patil to take note of its complaint against the annual wine festival, Grape Escapade, scheduled to be held from January 27 for three days at the INOX courtyard in the capital city.
In a press release issued here, Saad said Goa Tourism Development Corporation had issued an advertisement inviting application for stalls for festival at INOX which is a government premise. Saad demands that alcohol sale and promotion on government premises be stopped forthwith, it stated.
The release mentioned that Saad had sent a memorandum seeking intervention of the President, who as the constitutional head was required to uphold the directive principles of the Constitution prohibiting State governments from promoting alcohol.
Saad has appealed to Patil to direct the State Government to uphold the principles of the Constitution and stop the sale of alcohol on its premises. It reminded the President of one of her public speeches where she had expressed her concern over the effect of alcohol on women and children.
Saad observed women’s organisations have been protesting the sale and promotion of alcohol at INOX. Last year when the wine festival was organised on Republic Day, Saad had called on the Chief Secretary who promised that hence forth no alcohol would be sold on government premises, the release states further.
However, it mentioned, at the International Film Festival held in November 2010 alcohol continued to be sold and promoted on government premises at INOX as well as Children’s Park where Kingfisher village was set up.
