Panaji: Following demands from the tourism industry, the State Election Commission has exempted the municipal areas from restriction on sale of liquor as a part of code of conduct in session for the forthcoming panchayat elections.
State Election Commissioner Dr M Modassir issued orders to this effect yesterday, exempting bars and restaurants in the municipal limits from mandatory closure of activity at 11 pm.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) spokesman Ralf D`Souza told PTI that the commission has now allowed bars to run till 11.30 pm, while food can be served even till late night.
The tourism industry was baffled with the restriction on sale of liquor in the municipal areas.
The code of conduct for one month will be lifted only on May 19. Goa recently underwent a two-and-a-half month code of conduct with ban on sale of liquor due to Assembly elections held in March.
D`Souza said the tourism industry was going through a bad phase due to these restrictions.
"Also there was no clarity on the closure of the restaurants. The officials used to stop establishments from serving food after 11 pm," he added.
Around 150-odd panchayat bodies in the state will go for polls on May 16.
PTI
