PANJIM: In the last seven months, the State government has received three proposals seeking shifting of liquor outlets from their existing location as the area in which they are located falls within the ambit of the Supreme Court’s judgment on the closure of structures along highways.
Soon after the SC modified its earlier order in March 2017, albeit very slightly, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had given owners of the inoperative licence premises to transfer their licence or relocate the premises to census towns.
Since April 4, 2017, the date of the announcement, Excise Department has received 2-3 applications seeking shifting their outlets outside the restricted areas. Commissioner Amit Satija said the applications are currently under examination. “We are examining these applications,” he told Herald.
Asked about the low response to the offer, the officer attributed it to different reasons stating, “It could be because the owners of the liquor outlets could be awaiting further relief. Moreover, the State government has kept its proposal open for the affected traders for three years. We expect more applications.”
Parrikar had stated that the outlets could be relocated to census towns like Mapusa, Margao, Ponda or places outside the restricted areas (500 mtrs or 220 mtrs as applicable) while also owners of the inoperative licence premises have the option to transfer their licences. He had also said that the government would not charge any additional fee or impose penalty for establishments seeking to shift their premises.
While the scrutiny of these applications is underway, the department has also received 200-odd applications for fresh licences. The Commissioner stated that all these applications are being examined that would include physical verification of the proposed location and ensuring these do not come under the ambit of SC order. “There are various other procedures to be carried out before considering the applications,” Satija said.
