Issue of liquor outlets rocks Veling-Priol gram sabha

PONDA: The issue of permitting liquor outlets in the village rocked the Veling-Priol-Kunkolim gram sabha on Sunday wherein the villagers were divided over the issue of complete ban on liquor outlets.

A section of villagers demanded ban on allowing new liquor outlets, while some opposed it claiming people have right to do business, while there were some who demanded a complete ban on liquor sale citing the case of Surla village.

Villagers also suggested voting option to resolve the issue, but the sarpanch did not agree to it.

After heated arguments, the villagers started demanding complete ban on liquor sale in the village.  However, some panch members came forward and claimed that they want liquor outlets in their wards.

“Just because a section of people do not want bars in their area, the panchayat should not make this applicable for entire village,” said Varadh Mardolkar.

The issue of permission to liquor outlets was raised by locals of Apewal, who are opposing permission to new outlets in the village and demanding revocation of NOCs given to new liquor outlets.

These villagers had staged a hunger strike in front of the panchayat demanding closure of a wholesale liquor store in Apewal. According to locals, despite objections raised by them, the panchayat has given permission to a liquor store.

Following discussion, the gram sabha resolved to forward the objections raised by the Apewal residents to the excise inspector and block development officer.

“We will forward concerns of Apewal residents regarding a new wholesale liquor store at Apewal to the concerned departments and, accordingly, action will be initiated,” said sarpanch Mangaldas Gaude.

The Apewal locals, fighting under the banner of Veling Priol Kunkolim Sudhar Samiti, have hinted at taking their struggle towards complete liquor ban in entire village.

“We hope in coming days, the villagers will unite to close all liquor outlets in the village,” said Anup Desai, while briefing media persons on the sidelines of the gram sabha.

“Presently, closure of wholesale store from Apewal is the main demand of villagers and we will fight for it until our last breath,” said Karishma Naik.

Apewal locals had already given an ultimatum of 15 days to the panchayat to take action against the liquor store and had threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike recently.

Seven days have already passed and if panchayat fails to act within next 10 days, the villagers will go on a hunger strike, stated Anup Desai. The gram sabha was chaired by sarpanch Mangaldas Gaude and monitored by Pradeep Gaude.