---------------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED, The time is come for the people of Goa to ORGANISE not AGONISE !! ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- No takers for plan to set up beer gaddas in Goa -------------------------------------------------
by Roque Dias The idea of the state government to allow beer gaddas in the state by making amendments to the notification of the Goa Excise Act 1964, received a set-back as there were no takers even after completing 18 months to the notification. According to the available information, on March 31, 2006 the said notification was issued which allowed anybody to open the beer-gadda at any place by just paying fees of Rs 15,000. The efforts of the then Rane government however went in vain as sources said that there was strong opposition to the amendment. This apart, it also indicated that before amending the said act, no such `homework' was done, neither the excise department was taken into confidence. A bar owner of Ponda, said that government (authorities) knew very well that the notification would have no impact ``as it was issued (after amendment) with another purpose.'' ``These were the pressure tactics to pump in more revenue from us,'' another bar owner from Shiroda said. Sources in the know however opined that a beer company had approached to the government with the ideas of having monopoly in the beer sale and therefore forced the government to issue notification. A parent speaking to `The Navhind Times' disclosed how an enthusiast - a college canteen contractor took back the decision of applying for the permission after there was strong opposition to him and his ideas from the parents and few NGO members. When contacted, the Excise Commissioner, Mr P S Reddy to find out what went wrong with such an idea, he urged to speak to the assistant Excise Commissioner. `` It was not implemented though notified. We had suggested the government to frame the guidelines before going ahead with it. The department had also suggested that all the rules applicable to the other bar owners be made mandatory to these gaddas also,'' the Assistant Commissioner of Excise, Mr S Y Parab said. Mr Parab disclosed that till date not a single application had come to the department seeking permission for such a gadda. He informed that at present there are 8000 licenced bars in Goa. ---------------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 22/10/07 page 2 --------------------------------------------------- ==================================== GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =====================================
