Goa’s excise department has cancelled the license issued to INOX Leisure Limited for its beer lounge in the multiplex here, following protests by women’s organisations.
Women’s organisations in the state had protested against the excise department’s move to allow sale of liquor in the four-screen multiplex owned by INOX.
The multiplex, constructed in 2004, is also a venue for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
“The party (INOX) should exhaust the liquor stock remaining with them and surrender the license issued to the excise inspector on or before July 15, 2007,” the order issued by Excise Commissioner P S Reddy said.
Threat to children
Questioning the “safety” of children and female visitors to the multiplex, women’s organisations led by Bailanceho Saad, had petitioned Excise Commissioner challenging the “issue of license.”
“The sale of liquor in INOX is a potential threat to the security of women and children in the theatre,” the organisations stated.
“It also gives a negative impression about the people and the culture of the state,” it added.
Besides, educational institutes are located in the multiplex vicinity. Also, advertisements luring people to get free beer on the purchase of two tickets also amounted to “enticing” them to consume liquor, the organisations said.
Fears unfounded
The INOX management, on the other hand, had stated that there was not a single instance in support of the allegations, especially those in connection with threat regarding safety of women and children.
The Excise Commissioner agreed to the apprehensions raised by INOX while cancelling the license.