PANAJI: The excise department suspended eight licences issued to operators of Surla,
Sattari, on Friday after the local panchayat revoked the NOCs granted to them.
Confirming the suspension and issuance of showcause notices, excise commissioner Amit Satija told TOI that with the withdrawal of NOCs by the panchayat, a deficiency vis-a-vis a provision of Rule 90 of the Goa Excise Duty Act 1964 and Rules is evident. They have to submit their response within seven days of receipt of the notice.
Rule 90 requires the licensee to hold a valid NOC from a local panchayat for him to be entitled to an excise licence. Satija said showcause notices have been issued asking them why their licences should not be cancelled for violation of Rule 90. The NOCs of eight licence holders were revoked by Dongurli-Thane panchayat last month.
Surrounded by the Western Ghat, Surla, with a population of less than 5,000, was in the news after villagers revolted demanding closure of alcohol shops in the village.
In July, the villagers of Surla had a meeting and took a resolution to demand the closure of bars. As the agitation gained momentum, North Goa collector issued an order the same month banning the sale and consumption of liquor on the grounds of a law and order problem faced by the villagers. The ban was further extended by a month on August 17. Women folk pointed out that besides the men in the village getting addicted to alcohol, picnickers and revellers visiting villagers created a ruckus.
The district administration imposed ban on sale of alcohol for a month in July owning to law and order problem.
