the goan I network
VASCO
The Niz Goenkar Revolutionary Front (NGRF) has written to the excise commissioner seeking the removal of refrigerators from all wholesale wine shops/ and liquor outlets.
NGRF Spokesperson Chandrashekar Vasta said they had observed a lot of wholesale liquor shops in the State with refrigerators inside the shop and were selling chilled liquor, especially beer cans, to customers which was not permissible under the law.
Drinking in open
“Selling of retail liquor affects the business of various bars and restaurants, besides promoting the idea of drinking in open spaces. Many tourists have been seen drinking beers in the open along the beaches, etc.”
“Not only this, customers later throw away bottles and cans in the open, thus creating a garbage menace at public places, gardens, roadsides, beaches and other public locations,” said Vasta.
“It is also noticed that many people pick chilled beer cans from wholesale outlets and drive away, which could cause accidents and risk the lives of other motorists and pedestrians. Some wholesale outlets are open way beyond permissible timing,” Vasta added.
Vasta said the NGRF had written to the excise commissioner to monitor the situation and take immediate action by removing refrigerators from all wholesale outlets in the State. Another NGRF member, Suresh Naik, said wholesale liquor outlets had also started selling peanuts and chips as well.
Monitoring
“These wholesale outlets have become a replacement for traditional bars. Many customers feel more convenient to buy chilled liquor at wholesale outlets and besides this, chips, peanuts and plastic glasses are also available. So why should someone visit a bar when everything is available at the wholesale outlets?”
“People walking with drinks and other items from wholesale outlets are very likely to drink in an open space and discard empty cans and glasses in the open after drinking,” said Naik.
