Local Goa News

Thursday, August 4, 2016

New bars only in restaurants: CM

PANAJI: The excise department has issued 7,428 licences to establish bar and restaurants in the state.
Providing the information to the legislators in the assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar stated that the alcohol outlets have added Rs 583 crore to the revenue of the state during the last two financial years. During the financial year 2014-15, the department contributed Rs 268 crore and Rs 315 crore during the year 2015-16 to the state’s revenue. “We are targeting a revenue collection of Rs 358 crore for the year 2016-17,” he added.

Parsekar speaking during the demands for grants for excise for 2016-17 said, “The excise department has issued 7,428 licences to bars, out of which 157 are traditional taverns. All the new bar licences are granted to restaurants only.”
Responding to the cut motion placed by the Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane, questioning the hygiene and toilet facilities at the bars, Parsekar said that only the taverns still function without such facility. “Only the 157 taverns which have been in existence for a long time with some old person at the counter in the rural areas may not be having the facilities as it is a place to have a quick drink and leave. However, all the new licences are granted adhering to the prescribed norms and only to restaurants,” he added.
He further said that the new licences are granted only after the scrutiny of the details and inspection by the excise personnel. The applicant has to submit the NOCs (no objection certificates) from the PWD, local body (panchayat or municipality), health department and the restaurant licence. He also informed that another condition is that the proposed bar should not be linked to the residential premises.
Stating that the excise department was undergoing computerisation process, the Chief Minister said that the department had developed Goa excise management system (GEMS) with the help of NIC (National Informatics Centre) Goa. He further said that the department is in the process of implementing bar coding of products, which would enable accurate monitoring of liquor in the state.

NT Network Goa News

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