MARGAO
“The Constitution provides the right to livelihood. Where will we and our families go if the bars are shut down. Let the government provide us and our families food for our sustenance,” cried bar owner Xavier Fernandes, who has an outlet at Khareband.
He pointed out that it is surprising that the order to shut down bars has been issued without making alternate arrangements for the thousands of families eking a livelihood on the business. “Where are we supposed to go from here. Who will feed us and our families from today. Is there any rehabilitation package from the government for the bar owners to make a living,” Xavier questioned, while demanding intervention of the Goa government to save the beleaguered families from starvation.
Amancio Faleiro, who is an engineer by profession, said he had ventured into the liquor business to stand on his own legs rather than working under someone. “I do not know my future from tomorrow. Where I am supposed to go from here and who will give me employment to support me and my family,” he remarked.
Another bar owner demanded that the government should come out with a financial or rehabilitation package for the bar owners on the lines of the mining package. “How can anyone even think of closing thousands of bars without formulating a rehabilitation or a financial package. Where are we supposed to go from here,” he demanded to know.
Bar owner from Aquem, Andrew Sequeira pointed out that dozens of bars along the Aquem road will be shut down just because a narrow road, notified as state highway by the Goa government, is passing through the locality towards Chandor.
Domnic Noronha, who runs a bar and restaurant at Sirlim abutting the NH-17, said the future of thousands of families is at stake. “Leave alone the owners. The employers will have no option than to terminate the services of the workers employed in the business,” he said.
