NT NETWORK
MARGAO
Despite the Supreme Court order banning liquor vends along national and state highways across the country from April 1, several bars and restaurants in Salcete taluka conducted business as usual, clearly defying the apex court order.
In Aquem and Khareband areas of Margao, hundreds of people including bar owners gathered objecting to the excise inspector and his five-member team, who were in the town visiting the bars and restaurants to implement the apex court order.
“We will take the advice of Excise Commissioner and with police protection, we will continue visiting the bars and restaurants and other liquor outlets,” said excise inspector Shamba Naik. He said that nearly hundred persons had gathered at a bar near the Pandava chapel at Aquem around 1 pm and ‘gheraoed’ his team. “During our visit, we found several bars and restaurants open today,” Naik said.
Elaborating on the difficulties his team faced while implementing the court order, Naik said, “When the team approached bar and restaurants, many owners insisted on closure notice. We told them that it is a SC order and since we have not renewed their licences, it is illegal for them to continue operating. Hence, they have to close down their bars.”
Bars and restaurants remained open in several areas of the taluka like Raia, Loutolim, Borim, Fatorda, Margao and Nuvem. A bar and restaurant owner from Margao claimed that he kept his bar open as the Chief Minister had said that the apex court order was not applicable to them. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had made the statement before the apex court’s modified order could come, which is applicable to all liquor vends including bars and restaurants. Another bar and restaurant owner said that he conducted business as usual as it was his source of revenue. Dominic Noronha, a bar and restaurant owner from Chinchinim, blamed the government, particularly the transport offices and traffic police for not acting appropriately against traffic violations.
Several liquor wholesalers also conducted business late Saturday evening in rural Salcete areas, while many restaurants refrained from serving alcohol to customers. A random survey on late Saturday evening revealed that several wholesale vendors opened their shops after 7 pm.
Traffic police inspector Mohan Gaude said that he booked three cases of drunk driving in Margao on Saturday. “The fine for traffic rule violation will now have to be paid in court. Offender’s driving licence will be suspended for a brief period in the first case,” he said.
Speaking to this daily, Mormugao excise inspector Mukund Gauns said, “Mormugao excise department is strictly following the SC order. The department has formed two teams of excise officials, who will visit every liquor vend, restaurant, pub and bar in order to ensure that the order is strictly implemented.”
In Ponda, of the total 789 registered liquor outlets, 440 remained closed following an oral order issued by a team of excise officials. The team visited every liquor outlet coming within the radius of 500 metres from the national and state highways and communicated with the outlet owners.