Goa

Saad objects to liquor outlets near edu institutions and religious places

Herald Team

Published:28 June 2024, 1:36 am

PANJIM: Bailancho Saad has reiterated its demand made by women's groups and civil society groups over the years to remove the clause that permits liquor outlets within 100 metres of educational institutions and religious places, with government approval.

Bailancho Saad convenor Sabina Martins on Thursday, said that there has been a long history of women's struggle relating to relaxed bar timings, serving of alcohol to minors, sale of alcohol and beer bottle prizes at school fete, sale of liquor on government premises, advertisement s despite ban, violence due to drunkenness in homes, neighbourhood, streets, workplaces etc, economic destitution due to addiction, health issues caused by the state's liquor policy among others.

The recent amendment raising licence fees for 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙡𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 implied more permission s will be given to raise more revenue. While the State rakes in money, the consequences are borne by families of addicts primarily, she said.

Martins pointed out that the number of women and children, senior citizens and families affected by promotion of alcoholism is growing. The trauma and pain they go through is immeasurable. The consequences on education of children, financial status and wellbeing makes them vulnerable to exploitation.

The government needs to pay serious attention to addiction issues and have adequate de-addiction centres, helplines linked to these centres should be set up, support and help centres for relief to families suffering. Police action has to be taken in cases of violence against women under influence of alcohol.

The elected representatives should legislate and get laws implemented for public welfare. Definite budgetary allocation has to be made to stop addiction and give immediate assistance, relief to those suffering.

The Bailancho Saad has called upon all elected representatives to get the 'relaxation of no alcohol outlet within 100 metres of educational institutions and religious places with government approval 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 namely Sub rule (4) of Rule 90 , Goa Excise Act Rules 1964 and to press for s𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 with necessary budget allocation.

It has also demanded q𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 especially in domestic violence cases.

Rules for liquor outlets near schools have not been relaxed, but made difficult: CM

PANJIM: A day after drawing flak from the Opposition for hiking fee for liquor outlets near schools and religious places, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday claimed that the rules have not been relaxed but in fact made difficult.

Speaking to reporters at the Mantralaya at Porvorim, he said, “Rule of relaxation for ban on liquor outlets within 100 meters from temples and schools was not made by my government. It was existing since 1980 and all previous governments have issued licences within 100 metres in the past. Now my government has made it difficult to obtain these permissions within 100 meters by enhancing the fees for licences and renewal by 100 per cent.”

The Chief Minister said, “It is wrong to say that my government has changed the rules. In fact, we have put the hurdles by increasing the fees. There are files of those MLAs who are now criticising the decision. I have not given any permission in my constituency in the last five years but we have doubled the fee.”

He alleged that the Congress is misleading people on the issue.

The government had on Thursday clarified that the new notification has been issued solely to make changes in the license fees and the government had no intention of relaxing any rules for the grant of licenses within 100 meters of educational institutions and religious places.

SCROLL FOR NEXT