PANAJI: Setting the ball rolling to implement the SC order on liquor outlets, the state excise department has started issuing notices on non-renewable of licences to over 3210 liquor outlets which come within the 500 metre distance from state and national highways.
“We cannot renew the licences in view of the Supreme Court order. Hence the identified outlets will not be allowed to operate unless and until the government officially comes out with a plan to provide them relief,” said an official of the excise department.
The department will seek clarification from the government over exclusion of distributors from the ban as they do not serve liquor but are involved in its supply.
He said the SC relief to the liquor outlets locating at a distance of 220 metre from highways in a municipal area of less than a population of 20,000 can save as many as 900 outlets if the state government acts upon the relaxation.
The department has also started identifying these liquor outlets that fall under the 220 metre ‘relaxation’.
He said that so far the distance of liquor outlets from highways has been measured through aerial view and following visibility criteria laid down by the SC.
“We can switch to approachable roads while measuring the distance only if the government gives us direction,” the official said.
The SC order has put liquor outlet owners in a quandary prompting the Goa Liquor Traders Association and the All Goa Bar and Restaurant Owners Association to urge the state government to brief the apex court about the demographics of Goa.
The associations also urged the government to appeal to the SC seeking exclusion from the ban, as has been granted to Sikkim and Meghalaya.
“Relocation and de-notification (of highways) are not viable options. We want the government to intervene and file a petition before the Supreme Court,” said Amit Palyekar speaking on behalf of the affected traders.
A delegation of liquor traders will meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the traders will meet at the Taleigao community hall to decide future course of action.
