PERNEM:
“As per the Supreme Court order, we have closed all 169 liquor outlets which are within 500 metres of the NH17 highway,” a Pernem excise officer told The Goan.
The NH17 is the lone highway passing between Dhargal and Patradevi and many of the 169 liquor shops were operating even before the highway came into existence. Many of the affected shop owners have blamed the government for failing to protect their interest and livelihood.
“The government cannot provide jobs to everyone and so, some youth started wholesale liquor business after obtaining loans from banks. Now, these shops have to be shut down and this is injustice to them,” said businessman Rohidas Harmalkar.
