CM Parrikar holds meeting with liquor trade representatives

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar today held a meeting with representatives of liquor trade after the Supreme Court order banning sale on national and state highways came into effect from today.
The officials of the state excise department too were present for the meeting.
"After interpreting the judgment it came to light that out of the 3,200 outlets listed to be shut down after SC order, more than 1,100 could be saved from closure," All Goa Liquor Traders Association President Dattaprasad Naik told reporters after emerging from the meeting with the CM.
He said that the SC judgment mentions that liquor outlets, situated in the local bodies where population is less than 20,000, can operate beyond 220 metres, and not 500 metres.

The outlets which are in the areas where population of local bodies is more than 20,000 will have to abide by the rule of 500 metres from the National or State Highways, Naik said.
Except for six municipalities and three panchayats all the other local bodies are having population less than 20,000, he added.

Naik said that Chief Minister has assured solution for rest of the outlets which are affected by the SC order.
"The Chief Minister has assured that the licences of the traders who are affected by the judgment will not be cancelled but they will be given a chance to relocate their premises beyond 220 metres or 500 metres depending on their area," he said.

Meanwhile, Goa Excise department has began enforcing the Supreme Court directive banning roadside liquor outlets from today onwards.
Goa Excise Commissioner Menino D'Souza said that the department has already dispatched teams across the State to implement the order.
"The teams are on field. The order comes into force from today," he said, adding, that the department has also began receiving applications for renewal of the licences.
"Those liquor selling outlets which do not fall under the purview of SC order will have their licences renewed, but those which are banned will not be allowed to operate," D'Souza said.