Goa govt to ban liquor sale around St Xavier exposition venue

Goa government will prohibit sale of liquor around the place where the decennial exposition of St Francis Xavier would be held, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the state assembly today.
The feast would be celebrated at Old Goa, nine kms away from Panaji, from November 22 this year till January 4, 2015.
Restrictions would be imposed to ensure that pilgrims don't attend the masses drunk, Parrikar said.
"The sale of liquor would be prohibited around the church. What would be the prohibited area will be decided later on," he said.
The chief minister said the decision about prohibition would not be taken arbitrarily.

Local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar said since the exposition would be held over 45 days, such a long ban would affect the business.
Parrikar said locals would be taken into confidence before taking the decision.