PANAJI
Stating that the government is gearing up to file a review petition against the Supreme Court order banning sale of liquor along the state and national highways, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that the Government will act on the advice given by the Advocate General.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function, Parsekar said, “I have suggested the Excise Commissioner to gather the information as to how many people or how many businesses are affected and simultaneously I have also asked the AG to study in what way we can go about approaching the court. It will be as per the advice of the AG.”
Parsekar was, however, of the opinion that the Supreme Court should have made all the States, party to the case.
“Goa is not even a party to the Supreme Court order. In fact, while pronouncing such an order that would have far reaching effects, the SC should have made all the States a party to it. We are all stakeholders. Before pronouncing the order, they should have at least sent notices to all the chief secretaries”, he said.
Lamenting that the order came in when the election process was in force, he said, “The model code of conduct is still on. So, though the decision would be taken by the new government which will come into power, we have look at the interest of the State. Goa is a touristic state. Our geographic conditions are such that national highways run through most of the places. So the order would affect most of the business community. Another peculiar condition about our state is that most of Goa’s restaurants have liquor licences. I don’t know if the court has taken it into consideration or not.”
Speaking about implementation of the order, he said, “Till the time court order is not stayed, it is binding on the government to implement it. We cannot violate it. But, we have time till April 1. Counting is on March 11. Within a week after the counting, government should be formed. They should be able to do it. But I will definitely keep all the required data for the new government.”
