While in Goa, several liquor shops existing along this stretch before the petitions filed in the SC continue to conduct business, Excise Department has stopped granting new licenses. “For over a year, our department has stopped granting new licenses to applications seeking to set up alcohol shops on highways,” Excise Commissioner Menino D’Souza told Herald.
The apex court has reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking direction to amend excise laws in order to ensure that no liquor is sold alongside highways in any part of the country. The SC bench, headed by Chief
Justice T S Thakur, had expressed its unhappiness over alleged inaction by various States as this has increased drunken driving and accidents.
“We will comply with the Supreme Court’s order,” D’Souza stated adding that the department officers conduct thorough scrutiny before granting new licenses and renewals to existing ones at other locations. “No new licenses are given to any individual or establishment to start liquor shop on the highways,” he reiterated.
“No license shall be granted to an applicant for sale of liquor, if the premises in which he proposes to open liquor shop is located on a State Highway or a National Highways,” the order states.
