PANAJI, Oct 5: A writ petition filed by the Goa Foundation against advertising of liquor in Goa has been admitted by a division bench of the Mumbai high court (HC) comprising justice R K Batta and justice R M S Khandeparkar.The petition stated that though advertising of liquor was specifically banned under the Goa Excise Act, 1964, several companies had raised huge bill boards advertising liquor brands along the highways. Goa based newspapers also regularly carried liquor advertisements, the petition said.Earlier, the Foundation had filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Excise, asking him to take action against the offending parties.The Commissioner then issued notices in papers asking companies to desist from advertising. However, several companies continued to defy the notice and the Foundation decided to approach the HC.Meanwhile, the companies hastily removed all the billboards, while excise department officials repainted the boards that remained.The court's decision to admit the petition came after the state government filed an affidavit stating that it was enforcing the ban. Newspapers also filed affidavits stating that they had stopped carrying liquor advertisements.The Foundation also has also served a notice to the tourism department.They have told the department that advertisements of liquor will not be permitted during the Miramar Food Festival and the Carnival. The group also plans to take action against those organising public dance events with the sponsorship of liquor companies.
