PANAJI
This information was provided by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar while replying to a question tabled by Quepem MLA Chandrakant ‘Babu' Kavlekar in the ongoing session of assembly.
According to Parrikar, 2,443 licences for retail sale of liquor have not been renewed due to the SC order.
He further stated, "The expected loss on non collection towards renewal of licence fees is estimated at Rs 2 crores, while on value-added-tax (VAT) collected on retail sale of liquor for consumption is expected to be Rs 5 crores."
In its December 2016, the SC had banned the sale of alcohol, whether through liquor stores or bars, within 500 meters of national and state highways across India.
In March this year, the apex court had given a relief by saying that the limit of 500 meters distance from highways should be reduced to 220 meters for local bodies with 20,000 or less population.
This resulted in 2,443 liquor licenses not getting renewed in the state.
Parrikar further informed, "The government has issued instructions granting three years' time period for the affected licensee to shift their premises, as also to dispose off existing stock of liquor to wholesaler or any other operative licensee, within a stipulated time period."
