No more retail liquor outlets needed in Goa: Trade body

Panaji, Feb 21 () Liquor traders in Goa on Fridayasked the state government to stop issuing any more licencesfor retail sale of alcohol as the industry has reached"saturation point".

All Goa Liquor Traders Association presidentDattaprasad Naik also said if the proposed hike in excise dutyon alcohol mooted in the recent state budget is not withdrawn,the entire industry would collapse.

The budget 2020-21, presented in the assembly onFebruary 6, proposed a hike in the excise duty on variousliquor brands, including local brew 'Feni'.

Talking to , Naik said 2,000 retail liquor outletsalready exist for a population of 15 lakh which is sufficientto meet the requirements in Goa.

"There is no space for more outlets in the state. Thestate government should stop giving fresh licences for thenext three years, he said, adding the industry has reached"saturation point".

Naik said besides the 2,000 retail outlets, there are8,000-10,000 bars which sell liquor across the state, apopular tourist destination.

He claimed the liquor trade industry is slowlyslipping out of the hands of Goans due to "faulty" policies ofthe state government.

Pointing out that former chief minister ManoharParrikar had amended the State Excise Act to make it mandatoryfor fresh applicants to have 25-year domicile certificate,Naik said this rule should also be implemented during annualrenewal of licences.

When licences are taken up for renewal annually, therule of 25 years of domicile in Goa should be made compulsoryso as to stop increasing take over of the industry by non-Goans, he said.

Naik admitted that several local traders haveillegally leased out their premises to non-Goans.

This was the trade which was exclusively with Goans,but slowly it is slipping out of their hands. Now, 75 per centof the people in this trade are Goans, he commented.

Naik said the taxation proposed in the recent statebudget will result in collapse of the industry.

If you see the statistics, only 20 per cent of theliquor sold in Goa is consumed locally, while the rest 80 percent is carried back home by tourists, he said.

Naik met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant earlier thisweek and sought a roll-back of the proposed hike in exciseduty on liquor.

Sawant has assured a rethink on the proposed hike inliquor tax, he said.

Naik said slabs for low-priced alcohol, proposed inthe budget, should be revised, while there should be statusquo on high-end liquor.

The association has also demanded that Goan brewFeni should be completely exempted from excise duty. RPSRSY RSY