Panaji: Goa has prohibited the sale of alcohol for six days in the coming week, from March 7-11 and on March 13, in Panaji and in 14 panchayat areas in view of the elections to be held in those areas. It applies to retail stores, bars and restaurants.“Premises having a licence for bar and restaurant may be allowed to keep the restaurant open for serving food, and the bar counter shall be closed, and no liquor shall be served on the above-mentioned days. Owners of such licensed premises shall also display a board stating that no liquor will be served that restaurants are only open for food,” said finance under secretary Naresh Gaude.The finance department issued a directive under the Goa Excise Duty Rules to prohibit the sale of liquor within the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of Panaji and 14 wards of the panchayats where bypolls are scheduled to be held.“No liquor shall be transported from one place to another within the areas under the jurisdiction of 14 vacant wards of panchayats. The maximum quantity of liquor, which can be possessed by any person within the areas without a permit is three quart bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor or foreign liquor other than beer, and six bottles of beer for any person, including his family.”The villages that are witnessing bypolls are Chandel-Hasapur, Mandrem, Piligao, Latambarcem, Pilerne Marra, Sirsaim, Salvador Do Mundo, Candolim, Aquem Baixo, Borim, Veling-Priol, Bhoma-Adcolna, Balli-Adnem, and Loliem.
