Goa govt to renew licenses of liquor outlets in civic limits

Goa Excise department has issued an order to renew licences of the retail liquor shops falling under the municipal jurisdictions in the state.
However, the renewal of licences of those liquor outlets located alongside highways was kept on hold following a directive by the Supreme Court.
The department stated the apex court has amended its order allowing renewal of licences of the liquor outlets in the municipal areas.
State Excise Commissioner Amit Satija has issued the order stating the licences of the retail liquor shops located within the municipal areas of Valpoi, Sanquelim, Bicholim, Mapusa, Ponda, Curchorem-Cacora, Sanguem, Margao, Mormugao, Cuncolim and Canacona and the City of Corporation of Panaji, would be renewed.

The commissioner said the licences would be renewed provided "all the other requirements for the grant or renewal of licences are fully met as provided under Goa Excise Act and Rules, 1964".
In its order dated December 15 last year, the SCstated that licences of liquor outlets located along highways should not be renewed beyond April 1 this year.
The order affected around 3000-odd outlets in Goa. However, the state government denotified certain sections of the roads from the list of highways thus providing relief to many outlets.