NT NETWORK
PANAJI
With relaxation granted by the Supreme Court on Friday to liquor vendors in areas with a population of less than 20,000, six towns of Goa out of the total 14 may get some relief.
The apex court has said that in case of areas which are alongside highways with a population upto 20,000, they may have liquor vends at a distance of 220 metres from the highways.
Goa has 14 towns, which come under municipal council jurisdiction with a total population of 4,01,929.
According to the 2011 census, Panaji, Mormugao, Mapusa, Ponda, Margao and Curchorem-Cacora towns have population of more than 20,000, while Pernem, Bicholim, Sanguem, Valpoi, Sankhali, Cuncolim, Quepem and Canacona have a population of less than 20,000.
Mormugao municipal council jurisdiction has the highest population of 94,393 followed by Margao municipal council with 87,650, Corporation of the City of Panaji (40,017), Mapusa (39,989), Curchorem-Cacora (22,730) and Ponda (22,664).
The towns which have population of less than 20,000 include Pernem (5,021), Bicholim (16,986), Sanguem (6,444), Valpoi (8,532), Sankhali (13,651), Cuncolim (16,623), Quepem (14,785) and Canacona (12,434).