Liquor ban on highways: Goa Govt. assures special dispensation to affected

Panaji (Goa) [India], Apr. 4 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday assured that efforts would be made to ensure special dispensation for those impacted by the Supreme Court's order of banning liquor shops on highways "The government has decided that the special dispensation will be provided on those impacted by SC order of banning liquor shops on highways. License will be cancelled," Parrikar told the media here. Parrikar said the government is trying to collect every document to approach to the apex court regarding license renewal. "Those licenses which would not be renewed would have a 3 years window period to transfer their licenses subject to excise rules. The Government is also checking old documents to consider as to which roads in the state could be notified and de-notified," he added. The Chief Minister also warned of severe punishment who will not abide by the norms. Following the apex court's order banning liquor at all hotels and restaurants situated within 500 metres of the national and state highways, Goa's Excise Commission on Monday served closure notice to the liquor vendors in the state. Excise Commissioner Menino D'Souza has said that around 3,200 liquor vendors in Goa have been served notice by the Commission. The apex court earlier on Thursday reserved its order on banning off liquor vends on state and national highways. Hearing a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor outlets within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country, the apex court bench, headed by, Chief Justice C.J. Khehar reserved the order. Several states, including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Haryana and various others had told the apex court that 500-metre distance is much higher and should be reduced. (ANI)