Siolim, Goa: In a recent development, El Patron Café & Bar, nestled in the picturesque Siolim coastal village, found itself in hot water as excise officials cracked down on the establishment for allegedly serving liquor beyond the legally permissible hours.
Operating under the radar, the bar had been granted permission to serve alcohol until 11 pm, with the option to extend its hours for an additional fee. However, it is reported that El Patron Café & Bar continued to serve patrons well past the sanctioned time frame, prompting swift action from authorities. As a result, a case has been registered under the Goa Excise Duty Act, and the operators are now under investigation. On Tuesday, the premises remained shuttered as officials delved deeper into the matter.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained, “The establishment was authorized to serve liquor until 11 pm. According to regulations, an establishment must secure additional permission by paying a fee of Rs 1 lakh to extend operating hours until 1 am, or Rs 5 lakh to serve alcohol until the early hours of 3-4 am. In this case, it is alleged that they continued operations beyond the legally allowed time, leading to the booking of a case under the Goa Excise Duty Act.”
Meanwhile, a concerned local resident has filed a formal complaint with the Goa State Pollution Control Board, alleging that the restaurant has been operating without obtaining the necessary consent to operate, adding another layer of scrutiny to the embattled establishment’s woes.
