New Delhi: Just days ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Goa has been left high and dry. With the excise department tapering the liquor supply, distributors, wholesalers and retailers across the state have been forced to go on an indefinite strike.
The department has filed close to 100 cases, while nearly 50 permits have been cancelled for violating excise laws.
The Election Commission has also advised the department to strictly adhere to rules to avoid misuse of liquor in enticing voters.
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswami, on his first visit to Goa, specifically insisted on the need to curb liquor and money flow in the upcoming elections.
Displeased by the department's rigid measures, the liquor wholesalers have been on strike since May 22. The worst sufferers are the bars, as they will have to stop serving liquor once the stocks run out.
"Whatever we are doing is as per law. They have no reasons to grumble. The department has been sticking to the laws and there is nothing objectionable about it,” Excise Commissioner P S Reddy was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The liquor industry has been pouring in around Rs 100 crore to the tourist state’s treasury.
"We have been asked to keep regular records of 'liquor served'. With raids becoming the order of the day it's not possible. Many licenses have been cancelled," Convenor of Goa Liquor Traders Association Bernabe Sapeco said.
This is the first mass shutdown by Goa’s liquor suppliers in the last 25 years.
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