Goa allows 24-hour opening of liquor shops at airports

In a good news for flyers, the Goa government has introduced a new amendment to the Goa Excise Duty Rules, allowing licensed retail liquor outlets at airports to operate round the clock. As per a TOI report, the decision, which is presumed to cater to the operations of the Manohar International Airport, has sparked discussions and debates. The government's move has prompted both support and concerns from various stakeholders in the liquor trade.

The issue came to the forefront during the monsoon session when concerns were raised in the legislative assembly. GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant about the proposed change. Responding to the query, Sawant highlighted that retail liquor outlets at airports are common across the country and, therefore, the same provision should be applicable to Manohar International Airport. Sardesai, however, emphasized that such licenses should be exclusively granted to Goan residents.

"On airport, licensed premises for retail sale of liquor may be kept open for 24 hours," the announcement said. The notification also details the license and other costs that must be paid by the airport's bar/bar-cum-restaurant and liquor outlets.


The government has also relaxed the licence clause for airports where government officers cannot conduct surprise checks, and the 25-year-old domicile (certificate of 25 years of residence) requirement for an individual residing in the State to obtain a licence for the Mopa Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) has now been relaxed.

Though an individual is only allowed to create one liquor store in a single village or town in the state, the Mopa Planning and Development Authority allows an individual to open an unlimited number of stores.

Additionally, the amendment stipulates distinct fee structures for bar-cum-restaurants and retail liquor stores located at airports.

As the decision unfolds, it continues to spark dialogue among the various stakeholders, reflecting the ongoing discussions around alcohol regulation and commerce in the state.