MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday told the House that the government has not issued excise licences to outsiders but on the contrary, it was Goans who have transferred their licences to non-Goans.
Sawant also said that if anyone at the Mopa airport has applied for an excise licence then the government will consider it as all airports have retail shops.
“Goans should not transfer excise licences to others. The government is ready to conduct a survey to keep a check if anyone has transferred excise licences to non-Goans or allow outsiders to run retail liquor shops,” Sawant said.
He was responding to Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai’s charge that outsiders were running retail liquour shops till late in the night and whether the government would take action against them.
“We will take action against anyone who runs such liquor shops late in the night,” the CM assured the House.
Sardesai asked whether the government was open to provide excise licence at the Mopa airport and whether it would be given to a Goan.
“Liquor outlets are mostly run by the minorities and people from the Bahujan Samaj. Government should give it only to Goans,” he said.
The CM said that all airports have retail outlets and there was nothing wrong if one such outlet comes up at Mopa.
“This government is concerned about all the communities, including minorities,” Sawant said.
