BITTER PAST
>> The entire village of Surla had risen against the liquor outlets because of the nuisance faced by them in their daily lives
>> Hordes of tourists from Karnataka used to frequently visit the village and often misbehave with locals in an inebriated state
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PANAJI: The Excise Commissioner on Friday suspended the licences of all eight liquor outlets in Surla village of Sattari taluka located on the Goa-Karnataka border. Show cause notices have been issued to the licence holders and they have been asked to file their replies within seven days.
The show-cause notices were issued to Dasharath Naik of Malini Bar, Ashwini Gaonkar of Asmita Bar, Nilgo Gaonkar of Ashirwad Bar, Prajakta Gaonkar of Suvarna Bar, Bhagyashree Gaonkar of Swagat Bar, Tukaram Gaonkar of Sushant Wine Store, Prashant Gaonkar of Prashant Wine Store and Urmila Gaonkar of Kalpana Bar.
The Commissioner has also conveyed that he will give all eight operators of the liquor outlets a personal hearing in October, sources said.
The entire village of Surla had risen against the liquor outlets because of the nuisance faced by them in their daily lives. Hordes of tourists from Karnataka used to frequently visit the village and often misbehave with locals in an inebriated state.
After a sustained campaign by the villagers and the decision of the local panchayat to withdraw the trade licences of the liquor outlets, the North Goa collector Levinson Martins had temporarily shut down the outlets.
Now, the Excise Commissioner's decision to suspend the Liquor Licences is an indication that the administration is looking to permanently rid Surla village of the bars.
