the goan I network
PORVORIM
The All Goa Bar and Restaurant Owners Association (AGBROA) has said the Supreme Court’s clarification on its order on the highway liquor ban, followed by the government’s intervention and a subsequent relaxation had benefited 754 additional liquor vendors and bar owners after a gap of two years.
Addressing a news conference in Porvorim on Saturday, the AGBROA said liquor vendors and bar owners in developed panchayat and municipal areas who had downed shutters following the SC order in April 2016, have now reopened after two years.
“The SC has issued a clarification on February 23 saying the State government could permit sale of alcohol in developed panchayat areas as also in areas close to municipalities,” said AGBROA President Michael Carrasco.
“We then submitted a copy of the SC order to a 3-member committee comprising Urban Development Minister Francis D’souza, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte and TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai,” said Carrasco.
“Our request was positively considered by the 3-member committee and CM Manohar Parrikar issued an order to that effect. The excise department then relaxed the highway ban on liquor shops and traders falling under the jurisdiction of developed panchayat areas and areas close to municipalities.
This order has now benefited 754 additional liquor vendors and bar owners,” Carrasco added.
Advisor of All Goa Bar and Restaurant Owners Association Advocate Amit Palyekar said the livelihood of people in the liquor business had been severely affected by the SC ruling of April 2016.
