the goan I network
PANAJI
The North Goa Collector on Thursday issued an order prohibiting the sale of liquor in the Surla hamlet of Sattari taluka after villagers complained of drunken unruly behaviour by tourists from Karnataka and Maharashtra especially during this time of the year.
The village, which is located on Goa’s border with Karnataka, and which can be accessed by road only through Karnataka, is a favourite haunt for tourists from Karnataka and Maharashtra on account of liquor being sold at cheaper rates.
The residents of the village complained that the tourists who come in large numbers are a menace as they create ruckus and annoyance in the village.
“It is seen that the tourists visit the village mainly for drinking during the rainy season in large groups. They also create nuisance by drinking along the streets and bathing openly in the streams, disrupting movement of pedestrians and the flow of traffic on the narrow village road which is the sole access to the highway,” North Goa Collector Levinson Martins said.
“Under the influence of alcohol these tourists are disturbing the peace and tranquility of the village especially the women and children who are vulnerable and are afraid to go out during the day… Therefore there is sufficient ground for putting reasonable restriction by means of prohibitive restrictions on the sale of liquor,” Martins said.
“All the liquor bars, pubs, clubs, provision stores or any establishment serving or selling liquor or alcoholic beverages in retail or in packed bottles in the village of Surla within Thane Dongurli village panchayat are hereby prohibited from selling liquor and all types of alcoholic beverage from July 20 onwards for a period of 30 days,” the order reads.
If any liquor shop is found selling or serving liquor or alcoholic beverages and found to be contravening these orders during the period of prohibition it shall result in the cancellation of licences of the establishment and the owner shall be liable for penal action, he added.
Villagers had earlier complained about the nuisance by tourists in the village forcing the panchayat to call a meeting to discuss the issue.
