PANJIM: Mayem MLA Premendra Shet during the Goa assembly session on Tuesday stated that the consumption of alcohol should be banned in the state, but the production of alcohol can be done in Goa, in order to decrease the consumption of liquor among Goan youth. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV asked people their reaction towards the statement made by BJP MLA Premendra Shet on banning liquor in the tourism state of Goa.
I am highly amused with the BJP decisions. Recently they said excise relaxation should be given to bars near school and religious premises. And now their own MLA says, there should be a ban on liquor. We don’t understand this. We don’t understand if this is to fool the people. On the one hand who implement an unexpected law to allow bars near schools and religious places and on the other hand their MLA asks for ban on liquor.
Savio Coutinho, Convenor, Shadow Council
I don’t think there is need to give any reaction on this. It must be his personal view. I want to tell him that we are contributing 67% of the foreign liquor and 40% of all the domestic brands as revenue to the government. A lot of the development which takes place in constituencies, takes place with our money. The money from our hard work is used in the Goa Budget. The MLA should say that he does not want any development in his constituency from the money which comes from liquor.
DATTAPRASAD NAIK, President, All Goa Liquor Traders Assoc
One person had come from the Centre and said he would ban liquor in Goa. But Goans gave him such a befitting reply that he had to shut his mouth and leave. I want to tell the concerned MLA that he must have made some money, and this is his arrogance. Many people from the Centre came and gave the slogan of ‘Dharu Sodha, Dharu Sodha’. Finally they put soda in liquor and they left, but could not ban liquor.
MAHESH NAYAK, Social Activist
Instead of making a demand to ban liquor at least demand ban on drinking in public places and breaking bottles. Are you demanding something which will never be fulfilled? There are so many politicians who drink all night and get other people drunk too and also gamble. There are many like this. Think about what has to be banned. Ban coal, ban casinos, ban drugs.
Xencor Polji, Social Activist
I am highly amused with the BJP decisions. Recently they said excise relaxation should be given to bars near school and religious premises. And now their own MLA says, there should be a ban on liquor. We don’t understand this. We don’t understand if this is to fool the people. On the one hand who implement an unexpected law to allow bars near schools and religious places and on the other hand their MLA asks for ban on liquor.
Savio Coutinho, Convenor, Shadow Council
I don’t think there is need to give any reaction on this. It must be his personal view. I want to tell him that we are contributing 67% of the foreign liquor and 40% of all the domestic brands as revenue to the government. A lot of the development which takes place in constituencies, takes place with our money. The money from our hard work is used in the Goa Budget. The MLA should say that he does not want any development in his constituency from the money which comes from liquor.
DATTAPRASAD NAIK, President, All Goa Liquor Traders Assoc
One person had come from the Centre and said he would ban liquor in Goa. But Goans gave him such a befitting reply that he had to shut his mouth and leave. I want to tell the concerned MLA that he must have made some money, and this is his arrogance. Many people from the Centre came and gave the slogan of ‘Dharu Sodha, Dharu Sodha’. Finally they put soda in liquor and they left, but could not ban liquor.
MAHESH NAYAK, Social Activist
Instead of making a demand to ban liquor at least demand ban on drinking in public places and breaking bottles. Are you demanding something which will never be fulfilled? There are so many politicians who drink all night and get other people drunk too and also gamble. There are many like this. Think about what has to be banned. Ban coal, ban casinos, ban drugs.
Xencor Polji, Social Activist
