MARGAO
South Goa district Magistrate, Ruchika Katyal, IAS on Friday ordered that serving or sale of liquor in all the liquor bars, pubs, shops, clubs, shacks, or any establishment shall be closed everyday by 11 pm, with immediate effect till the election Model Code of Conduct is in force.
The order, however, shall not apply to those establishments, provision stores, etc, which are required by law to be closed before 11 pm.
Exercising powers under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read with Section 29A of the Goa Excise Act, 1964, the Magistrate said only the sale and service of liquor in all liquor bars, shops, pubs, shacks, clubs, provision stores or any establishment in the whole of South Goa District shall be stopped every day by 11 pm till election Model Code of Conduct is in force.
Such establishments, the order issued under Section 144 of the CrPC states, can remain open and continue to operate without the sale and service of liquor beyond 11 pm. Any violations of the above directions may be reported to the office of the District Election Officer, South Margao.
The order warns that if any liquor shop/bar, pub or any establishment is found serving liquor beyond the aforesaid timings, during the said period, it shall result in cancellation of licenses and the owner or offender shall be liable for penal action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1908, Section 30 of the Excise Duty Act, 1964 and other relevant provisions of laws in force.
