Team Herald
MAPUSA: The Supreme Court order directing closure of liquor outlets within 500 meter radius from the National and State highways has affected the business community in North Goa engaged in the trade.
Traders opened liquor outlets along the road hoping to attract more and more customers, but the SC order has dealt a huge blow to their dreams.
Liquor outlet owners that Herald spoke to expressed frustration at the Supreme Court order, but pinned hope on the newly formed government to help them sail through the problem.
Ramesh Naik, the owner of Pritesh Wines from Pernem said, “We had hope that this newly formed government will support us and help come out of this, but nothing is done yet. I am running this business for the last many years; my business is well established, but suddenly with this decision our livelihood is at stake.”
He said that since the order is passed by the highest court in the country, the liquor outlets had no option than obeying the same.
“We have taken a decision to obey the court order till the next move it taken. I have stopped buying new stocks and currently trying to sell of more and more so that no stock gets wasted,” Naik said.
Nitesh Salgaonkar, another affected liquor vendors, said, “I am trying to find a shop where I can shift my business away from highway, but haven’t found one so far, since everyone is in race for shops.”
Nagesh Keni, owner of Keni wines, feels that the SC ban will have a cascading effect. “Since Goa is a tourist dependent state and liquor being ones of the main attractions, the SC ban could discourage tourists visiting the State, which in turn will affect the business community, tourism industry and consequently, the economy,” he said.
“I am into this business for the last 15 years; it is very difficult to come out of this, so, I am searching for a new location to shift my shop,” he added.
