Goa to have liquor sales near educational institutions and regional places

The Goa government has made a significant change to excise laws by permitting new pubs and liquor outlets to open within 100 meters of educational or religious institutions, but the cost will double.

Although the relaxation does not give the excise agency complete authority to grant licenses in these previously restricted locations, the move has startled many. Apart from the applicant needing to pay twice the licence price, the excise commissioner must obtain government clearance before granting such an application.

An official stated that the measure was intended to strengthen the state's finances. To fund its spending needs, the government has been raising a variety of fees. "100% additional licence fees shall be charged to the licences issued in relaxation of sub-rule (4) of rule 90 of the Goa excise duty rules, 1964, and also for the renewal," according to the notification.


[With TOI inputs]