Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The State government announced a contentious amendment to the Goa Excise Duty Rules, 1964, allowing licenses for alcohol stores to be issued in previously prohibited areas, such as within a 100-meter radius of places of worship, colleges, and other educational institutions.
However, the new law stipulates that license fees for these restricted zones must be double what license holders pay for stores in other non-restricted areas.
The notification states that stores located in these restricted areas near schools and holy shrines will be subject to 100% additional license fees. The cost to renew a license annually will also double.
“Licenses issued in relaxation of sub-rule (4) of rule 90 of the Goa Excise Duty Rules, 1964 and also for renewal of such licences shall be charged with one hundred percent additional licence fees,” the notification dated Tuesday stated.
The notification gives the Excise Commissioner the authority to grant licenses in restricted areas. Additionally, the Commissioner will need to obtain “government approval” beforehand.
According to Rule 90(4) of the original set of Excise Duty Rules, a license cannot be granted if the applicant’s proposed location for the liquor store is 100 meters or less from a place of worship or educational institution.
