Association president Dattaprasad Naik said the excise department has done injustice to traders by imposing 9 pm as the closing time for liquor traders, whereas bars and restaurants are open till 4 am in the coastal areas. He said traders are facing losses due to this. “We are ready to pay double taxes for the timing as the main business and liquor sale happens at that particular time,” Naik said.
The association has also brought to the notice of the department that there is a shortage of permit books at liquor shops which are sought for by tourist to carry liquor bottles across the border. There is need of four to five books a week at shops but the department provides only one book a week, he said.
The association has also alleged that excise officials at the border check post demand Rs 100 per bottle before permitting the tourist to cross the border despite the permit from the department.
