PANJIM: Surla locals have submitted an intervention plea before the Directorate of Panchayats in connection with the liquor menace in the village.
In the petition filed on Monday, the villagers have sought intervention into the ongoing proceedings wherein some bar owners have challenged the jurisdiction of the Surla-Dongurli village panchayat resolving revoking NOCs granted to them.
“Residents of the village are in strict opposition of continuing or conducting any liquor trade within the village and therefore the action of the village panchayat as well as the excise department is fully justified, since the said action of revoking the license by the concerned authority is in the interest of the villagers and its youth who will fall prey to the evil of alcoholism,” the intervention petition filed through advocate Neelesh Takkekar states.
Urging the Directorate to accept the petition, the residents also stated that liquor trade and consumption has disrupted the peaceful and social harmony in the village. “The issue involves larger public interest and safeguards for a healthy and peaceful living of the applicants,” it further reads insisting the department to hear them. The Directorate has accepted the plea and adjourned the hearing for October 16.
The bar owners had approached the department challenging the decision of the village panchayat to cancel the licenses and permissions were withdrawn after the district college imposed a ban owing to law and order problem. The excise department had thereafter issued the bar owners show cause notices seeking a reply on why the licenses should not be terminated. The villages have made representations to various departments that liquors are also smuggled in bordering villages.
