MAPUSA
The plan of the state government to relocate the excise office from its current location in Mapusa to Porvorim has sparked concern among stakeholders in the liquor industry.
The decision, reportedly prompted by non-functional elevators in the current building housing the excise office in Mapusa, has drawn criticism from various quarters as people argue that the move will inconvenience many.
PROPOSED LOCATION
Senior officials within the department revealed that the government has already identified premises in Porvorim for the relocation, initially planning to execute the move this month. However, due to election regulations and the financial year ending, the process has been delayed.
The proposed new location for the excise office is the Housing Board Complex in Porvorim.
OPPOSITION TO MOVE
Many stakeholders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, advocating for the retention of the excise office in Mapusa, which they consider to be the commercial capital of Bardez.
They argue that Mapusa’s central location makes it convenient for people from neighbouring constituencies to access government services.
All Goa Bar and Restaurant Owners’ Association President Michael Carrasco voiced concerns about the inconvenience that business owners would face travelling to Porvorim.
He emphasised Mapusa’s importance as a hub for businesses and government services.
The former president of the Mapusa Merchants Association, Ashish Shirodkar, echoed Carrasco’s sentiments, emphasising the inconvenience of relocating the office to Porvorim, given Mapusa’s status as a commercial hub.
“It’s a wrong move by the government. Mapusa is the commercial hub of Bardez and most of the businesses are located in Mapusa and along the coastline,” Shirodkar said.
ACCESSIBILITY
According to John Lobo, General Secretary of Shack Owner’s Welfare Society, people would face a lot of problems at least for the next two to three years as work on the new elevated corridor is being taken up in Porvorim.
“Ideally, Mapusa would be the best place and preferably on the ground floor. We have been facing a lot of inconvenience having to climb five floors up and down due to the non-functioning of the lift at the present location,” Lobo said.
FOR PROPOSED MOVE
However, Dattaprasad Naik of the All Goa Liquor Traders Association offered a differing perspective, suggesting that if the facilities in Porvorim were adequate, the relocation could benefit the general public.
“If the premise in Porvorim is good then it will be more convenient for the general public. And Porvorim to Mapusa is not a big distance, which is just around 5 km. Besides, Porvorim is at the centre of the entire Bardez taluka. We should welcome the decision,” Naik said.
He said finding parking in Mapusa was a huge problem and expects ample parking space in Porvorim.
Sources within the department indicated that efforts were made to secure a location in Mapusa, but none were found suitable, leading to the decision to relocate to Porvorim.
OPTIONS IN MAPUSA
Refusing to buy the argument, Shirodkar said the Mapusa council owns several premises, one of which could accommodate the excise office.
“The new building coming up near the Alankar Theatre could also be one of the options,” he said.
The present excise office is located on the fifth floor of a building at Morod in Mapusa.
The elevators of the building have been non-functional for quite some time, causing a lot of inconvenience and hardship for people visiting the office.
