Goa to move SC over ban on liquor vends near highways

Panaji, April 4 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said his government will approach the Supreme Court in two-three months for relief in connection with an order to ban liquor vends near state and national highways.

"We are in the process of preparing documents. In two to three months, we will approach the Supreme Court for relief," Parrikar told reporters here.

The apex court had in December 2016 ordered the shutdown of liquor vends within 500 metres on either side of national and state highways from April 1, 2017. Later, the apex court reduced this distance to 220 metres for smaller towns with population less than 20,000.

The Chief Minister claimed the ban will have "no major impact" on state revenue.

Goa has more than 3,000 licensed liquor outlets located within 500 metres of national highways.

Parrikar said the state will renew the licences of nearly 1,000 bars in small towns with less than 20,000 residents and situated beyond the 220 metres distance from national highways.

Licences of over 3,000 wholesale and retail liquor vends, including bars, have been cancelled following the apex court order.