NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Does the word ‘vend’ in the Supreme Court (SC) order on highway liquor ban mean liquor shops alone or also bars and restaurants? Liquor stakeholders in Goa and the state government are keenly awaiting the answer to the question as the apex court hears petitions on the issue today.
An apex court judgment ordering closure of liquor ‘vends’ along highways will come into effect from April 1. Around 3,127 Goan liquor operators comprising shops, bars, restaurants, taverns etc are affected by the court order mainly due to lack of clarity on what constitutes ‘vends.’
On Monday, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the apex court order is applicable only to liquor retailers and not to bars and restaurants along highways. The Chief Minister’s statement will save thousands of bars and restaurants from closure, as they constitute a chunk of the 3,127 outlets affected by the court order.
The Chief Minister’s assurance is a huge respite, said bar and restaurant owners. Several proprietors said that they are pleased with the Chief Minister’s word although their fate continues to remain open until the apex court decides on the matter after hearing of pleas.
Sylvester D’Souza, owner, Sheela Bar, Vasco, said that he is confident that the Chief Minister’s assurance will come true. “I am optimistic of a favourable decision by the SC,” he said, adding that local bars and restaurants get customers who are families. “Restaurants require investment in crores of rupees and contribute more to the economy in terms of employment and revenue to the government,” said D’Souza.
On the other hand, liquor shop owners are crushed. Joaquim Rodrigues, liquor retailer, Vasco, said that bar and restaurant owners must not rejoice, as they are “still not out of the woods.”
President of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Savio Messias said that the Chief Minister’s statement on the highway liquor ban order is a “big relief,” as it will save many of Goa’s famous restaurants along the highways. He said, “Traditional bars and restaurants play a significant role in enhancing the touristic appeal of the state.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the tourism industry pointed out that they are not in favour of liquor shops located along highways since customers purchase drinks and throw empty cans along the roads. “Reduction in number of liquor outlets along highways would actually be a good thing,” said tour operators.
The apex court judgment ordering closure of liquor ‘vends’ within 500 metres of national and state highways came on December 15, 2016. It is a major order affecting liquor sales all over the country. With the implementation drawing close, a series of petitions filed in the apex court by liquor vendors associations seeking clarification or relaxation by state governments have accumulated. The apex court hearing was earlier scheduled on March 27 and currently is rescheduled to March 29.