PANAJI : The excise department on Tuesday commenced issuing closure notices to 3,210 outlets affected by the SC highway liquor ban, which came into being on April 1.
Officials said that notices are being sent to all outlets within the 500-metre distance of national and state highways.
The officials said that they are in a catch-22 on which of the 3,210 outlets can be saved as the SC has given a relaxation in the 500-metre distance to 220 metre for towns with population less than 20,000 people.
The number of such outlets would be known in the next two-three days although the initial estimate by the government puts the number at 1,000, the officials said.
A senior official said that licenses of identified outlets would be renewed.