More than half of Goa's liquor business to be affected by SC's verdict

Liquor store owners’ fate lies in the hands of next state government.

- Ramrai Naik

A MOVE THAT’S supposedly taken in order to prevent vehicular accidents on highways is seen to be majorly affecting liquor store owners’ livelihood in Goa. The Supreme Court’s verdict of banning liquor sales on all national and state highways will lead to closure of over 50% of the shops in Goa.

The Apex Court’s decision on 15th December has ruled in favour of a PIL that pleaded for a nationwide ban of liquor stores on highways. The Supreme Court concluded that after March 31st all the licences of the liquor store which fall within the 500 meter jurisdiction from the highway will stand cancelled.

Goa government is currently looking out for options to ensure that the Supreme Court provides some relief to home grown business. CM Laxmikant Parsekar told pressmen, “The state government is studying the judgment. The impact will be more on Goa due to the number of liquor stores. We need to explore the possibility of relocating such liquor shops.” Parsekar added, “Given the geography of Goa, where several highways cross through the State, almost 50 per cent of business will be affected as per preliminary estimates.”

Former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar says, “I have not understood the meaning of the Supreme Court’s decision. We will have to think about it. If we go 500 metres, half of Goa will be affected.”