PANAJI: In a bid to give relief to more liquor vendors in the state, the state government may go for motorable distance measuring of liquor vends, which falls within 500 metres from the state and national highways following the order of Supreme Court.
Sources said that the government is considering the proposal for motorable distance measuring of liquor outlets, which comes under the purview of the apex court order.
The exercise department, with the help of other concerned departments, had measured distances of liquor establishments coming within 500 metres of state and national highways by way of radius measurement.
Sources further noted that some states like Haryana have already started the process of measuring the motorable distance of 500 metres for pubs, bars and hotels from national and state highways, adding that if the government takes final decision in this regard, more liquor vendors in the state may get relief.
It may be recalled that the Goa Liquor Traders Association has been raising objection to measuring the distance by radius. The association has argued that the court judgment does not say that the distance be measured by radius and even the Goa Excise Duty Act does not say so, maintaining that it only mentions about radius in case of educational institutions and place of worships and it has nothing to do with the state and national highways.
In order to implement the directives of the Supreme Court, the committee headed by the Chief Secretary has prepared the plan of action, which has also been approved by the government.
According to the reports received from taluka-level committees approximately 3210 liquor outlets, which come within 500 metres from state and national highways, were identified in the state.
Meanwhile, the finance department has issued a notification, in order to modify the coverage of the plan of action, which has instructed to remove advertisement/signages indicating availability of liquor within 500 metres from the edge of the highways or service lanes, as the case may be. Further, it said that in rest of the areas of state, the Goa Excise Duty Act, 1964 prohibits alcohol advertisement and same be enforced.
It further said that with regards to wholesale licence, as they are not permitted to sell to a consumer and only stock material for purpose of sale to another licensee, they do not fall within the purview of the decision, provided they do not display any advertisement/signage.
The notification also said that the order of the Supreme Court dated March 31, 2017, clarified that the judgment dated December 15, 2016 covers retail sale of liquor for the purpose of consumption on the premises that is bars and restaurants.
It also instructed that all shops/vends that is retail sale of liquor in packed/sealed bottles, however being explicitly covered under Supreme Court decision, within distance of 500 metre radius; cannot be permitted and therefore licence shall not be renewed.
The notification issued by the finance secretary further stated that in view of the revised orders of the Supreme Court, which says that in the case of areas comprised in local bodies with a population of 20,000 people or less, the distance of 500 metres shall stand reduced to 220 metres; the Commissioner of Excise shall proceed to renew the licences of the retail sale of liquor to the licensees located beyond 220 metres from the outer edge of the state and national highways, except in the areas comprising the census towns of Curchorem, Margao, Mormugao, Panaji, Mapusa and Ponda and village panchayats of Taleigao, Sancoale and Curti-Khandepar having a population of over 20,000.
