PANAJI
The Mumbai Wines and Trades Private Limited, granted a wine shop licence at Manohar International Airport (MIA), Mopa; has moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging the delay in starting operations.
The Vacation Bench of Justice Sandeep Marne and Justice Manjusha Deshpande scheduled the writ petition for admission on November 11 while directing the State to submit its affidavit-in-reply within one week.
In its petition, the corporate firm expressed that it has been unable to commence the business of setting up liquor shop in the terminal buildings of the Airport despite being selected as a successful bidder in the auction process conducted by the Airports Authority of India. Moreover, it stated, that the AAI did not express any objection.
The State government, had last year, introduced a new amendment to the Goa Excise Duty Rules, allowing licensed retail liquor outlets at airports to operate round the clock amid discussions and debates.
The notification detailed the license and other costs to be paid by the airport's bar/bar-cum-restaurant and liquor outlets with relaxation to the license clause for airports where government officers cannot conduct surprise checks. The amendment removed the 25-year domicile requirement for individuals applying for a liquor license within the jurisdiction of the Mopa Planning and Development Authority (MPDA).
While individuals are generally restricted to setting up not more than one liquor store per village or town in Goa, the authority permitted the opening of an unlimited number of outlets.
