Restrictions imposed on sale of liquor in Goa till June 7

Panaji, May 16 (UNI) Sale of liquor was today restricted in North Goa district in view of the June 2 assembly elections in the state.

North Goa Collector and district election officer Nikhil Kumar, in his order, stated that all the shops selling liquor on wholesale or retail basis within North Goa district shall close the shops/outlets by 2200 hours every day with immediate effect till June 7.

Same will apply to bars and restaurants within North Goa district.

All sale of liquor should strictly be based on cash memos only and buyers name and address and mode of payment shall be noted on all cash memos. Violators will be booked and penalized as per law, which also includes cancellation of licenses.

He directed Excise Commissioner to enforce the order forthwith.

He held a meeting with excise officials in the presence of an observor and directed them to keep a strict vigil and track movements of large consignments of Indian made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), beer in the State to avoid distribution of liquor by contesting candidates to lure voters.

Excise Commissioner has constituted mobile squads at taluka levels to conduct surprise checks on all wholesale and retail outlets as well as bars, Mr Kumar said.

He also directed commissioner of commercial taxes to conduct surprise visits by sales tax inspectors to check the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) by the liquor sellers and ensure issuance of cash memos on sale of liquor by all.

UNI