Lounging in a shack guzzling pints of beer - the idyll will get better with the govt deciding to grant hard liquor licences to the 262 shacks along the seashore.
PANAJI: Lounging in a shack beside the sea along Goa’s 105km coastline guzzling pints of beer – the image of the perfect holiday that bring thousands of tourists from all over the world to Goa.
This season, the idyll will get better with the government deciding to grant hard liquor licences to the 262 shacks along the seashore.
Hard liquor was always served, unofficially, at these shacks. Failing to curb the trend, the government has decided to cash in. Tourism Minister Wilfred de Souza said, “The government was losing revenue from this illegal activity. I have ordered that liquor permits be given.”
The cabinet will decide the licence fee. Shack owners currently shell out Rs6,500 for a beer licence for 160 days, which is the official duration of the tourist season. According to an excise official, the government will increase this amount to cover hard liquor too.
Shack owners are happy with the move, though they will have to cough up more licence fees. With the changing tourist profile over the years, the inability to legally serve hard liquor was hurting business. Often, they had to resort to spiking cold drinks for customers with the liquor of their choice.
Jerry D’Souza, who runs a restaurant at Candolim, the area with the most tourists, said, “The owners are quite happy to pay up as long they get a licence. It’s better than having to pay hafta to excise inspectors.”
For as long as I can remember, I have seen liquor being served openly on beaches in Goa So it's great that the government has finally ended the charade — Pooja Bhatt, actor/filmmaker
Goa is best known for its beaches and the booze. You just can't have one without the other. The government's decision will be welcomed by everyone who loves Goa — Jackie Shroff, actor
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