the goan I network
PANAJI
Not a single establishment whose liquor license was suspended (or not renewed) because it fell within 500 metres from national and state highways has chosen to shift its premises outside the radius mandated by the Supreme Court despite the excise department’s relaxation in relocation fees.
Through its December 2016 order, the SC had banned the sale of alcohol, from all channels including liquor shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, within 500 metres from the outer edge of national and state highways across India.
Due to this, 1,345 liquor licenses could not be renewed in Goa. The excise department had, however, given a relaxation to these license holders by telling them that they could move beyond 500 metres without having to pay any sort of transfer fees to the department.
A senior excise official said, “Not even one such license holder has approached us saying that he is willing to move beyond the 500 metre limit.”
When asked what could be the reason behind this, the excise official, said, “A shop can cost anywhere from Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 60 lakhs. So, it’s an expensive proposition to move from an existing place to a new shop.”
Dattaprasad Naik, president of Goa Liquor Traders Association, said, “The SC has given relief on its order twice. Due to this, many license-holders are holding out hope that there will be further relief.”
The first was given in March last year when the apex court reduced the distance of 500 meters from highways to 220 meters in the case of areas comprised in local bodies having a population of upto 20,000. Later, the SC observed that the order wasn’t applicable to highways going through the cities.
Naik added, “Many license-holders, who were affected due to the SC order, have applied for a license afresh. This means that they have not sought renewal of the old licenses. The only difference between renewing the old license and applying for a fresh one is that in the former case you would save a Rs 25,000 processing fee.”
