Goa to uncork booze sales near religious, educational institutes

PANAJI: In a major tweak to excise laws, state govt will allow new bars and liquor stores to operate within 100m of educational or religious institutes, but the licence will cost twice as much.
Even as the relaxation still doesn't give the excise department a free hand to issue licences in these areas - which were earlier excluded - govt's latest move has surprised many.Apart from the applicant having to pay twice the licence fee, the excise commissioner will also have to get govt's approval before allowing such an application.
An official said that the department's latest move is aimed at shoring up the state's coffers. To meet its growing expenditure needs, govt has been hiking an assortment of fees and taxes.
100% additional licence fees shall be charged to the licences issued in relaxation of sub-rule (4) of rule 90 of the Goa excise duty rules, 1964, and also for the renewal of such licences,” states the notification issued by the finance department.
Earlier, as per sub-rule 4 (a) of rule 90, no licence was granted to an applicant if the premises in which he proposes to open a liquor shop are within 100m from an educational institution or place of worship.