NCP slams Goa govt for restricting liquor sale timings

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has criticised Goa government's move to put a check on timings of liquor sale in the state.

The notification issued by the Excise department on August 19 is a "big scam" on the common people who run the retail wine stores, NCP Goa spokesman Trajano D'Mello told reporters here today.

"The notification curbing the timings of retail wine stores, Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) outlets and stand alone bars is a clear indication of how the BJP government is all out to crush the 'aam aadmi' as these businesses are run by the average common man," he alleged. According to the notification, the wholesale and bar liquor sale in the state would be allowed till 9 pm.

The wine stores/ IMFL outlets, as per the provisions prior to August 19, by paying a 50 per cent of the original licence fee, would get an extension from 9 pm to 11 pm to sell. "The present notification strikes down this privilege," D'Mello said.

The recent notification is an indication of how the big hotels have managed to convince the government to crush the small businesses as the cutting of timings is bound to increase their business whose licence fees remain unchanged, he further alleged.