PONDA
"There are already 44 bars and two wholesales in our jurisdiction. People don't want more liquor business as it has destroyed the families," said Sarpanch Mangaldas Gaude.
The gram sabha presided by Gaude was attended by sizable villagers. Secretary Kapil Naik was also present. This panchayat consists of 11 wards, which is in Priol constituency.
During the gram sabha, the villagers opposed to issuing NOCs to fresh liquor trade. The villagers said there are already many bars in the vicinity and more shouldn't be allowed. Recently, VPK Panchayat had received two applications each for bar and wholesale liquor.
However Sarpanch Gaude told The Goan that in these four cases, nobody is affected with the Supreme Court order over liquor business. "They all are new entrants in liquor trade, but now we can't give them NOCs as we have taken a resolution," Gaude said.
According to Gaude, the gram sabha has respected the voice of the masses in regard to objection to fresh liquor trade. "Finally, we have to also think on aspects of villagers' health. There are bars everywhere in our panchayat area and we don't want to add more to it," he said.
He hastened to add that this decision has been not taken to target any individual. "I have cleared that we are not targeting anyone by taking this resolution. I am concerned about villagers," Gaude said.
