Dear Editor,
I am the licensed owner of a liquor restaurant and bar at Lot 7 Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast. At my place of business I provide employment for myself and two persons on a daily basis, and in addition to that I also subscribe to all the regulations and laws in relation to operating a liquor restaurant and bar.
But my biggest problem is the constant unfair competition that I have to endure from the so-called bottom house rum shops that operate with impunity in my village.
While I am not afraid of competition I strongly believe that the playing field must be level at all times. I am totally surprised and grossly dissatisfied that despite several reports to the Suddie Police Station and to the Customs Department, no effort to the best of my knowledge has been made to ensure these unlicensed places of business cease to operate.
Yours faithfully,
Whithman George
Editor’s note
We sent a copy of this letter to Mr Khurshid Sattaur, Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority for any comment he might wish to make, and received the following response:
“Reference is made to your correspondence dated July 19, 2012 and a letter sent by you to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), requesting a response.
“The letter, written by Mr Whithman George, the licensed owner of a liquor restaurant alleged that he is subjected to “constant unfair competition“ from “so-called bottom house rum shops that operate with impunity“ in his village (Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast).
“Editor, the GRA wishes to firstly thank Mr George for his persistence in bringing the matter to our attention. As Administrators of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act, Chapter 82:21, GRA agrees that it is a breach of Sections 85 (1) and 89 (1) for any person to conduct sale of Malt Liquors and Spirituous Liquors respectively, without being the holders of the relevant licences as specified under the Act.
“However, while the GRA has noted that Mr George allegedly made several reports to the Suddie Police Station and the Customs Department, the police and the GRA have the responsibility for monitoring actions and possible prosecution of offenders as stipulated in Section 68 of the Act. The GRA in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force would be pursuing these offenders vigorously with a view to prosecuting them so that it can be a deterrent to others.
“It is imperative that the distinction be made between licences approved by the Commissioner-General and those approved by the Liquor Licensing Boards, so that the public can be educated on same. In the case of the former, it should be noted that:
● A malt liquor and wine licence authorizes the sale in any licensed store, shop, floating shop, room, shed, stall or yard, of malt liquor and wine, whether to be consumed on the premises or not;
● An Off-licence authorizes the holder of the licence to sell spirituous liquor, wine or malt liquor not to be consumed on the premises.
● An Occasional Liquor and Tobacco Licence, permits the sale of both malt and spirituous liquors and tobacco for such period as stated in the licence but not exceeding twelve consecutive hours.
“On the other hand, the appointed Liquor Licensing Boards within each county deal with disputes and approve applications for the issue and renewal of generally all licences permitting the sale of spirituous and malt liquors for consumption on the approved premises.
It should be noted that a licence must be issued to that person only, who holds a certificate granted by a board under Section 19 of the Act. These include a licence for a hotel, restaurant, members’ club, and tavern or spirit shop.
In this regard, the role of the Commissioner-General of the GRA as Clerk to appointed Liquor Licensing Boards and Administrator of the Liquor Licensing Act, allows for the following:
1. The approval, issuing and renewal of some categories of licences subject to the requirements being met as outlined in the Act which include:
(a) all classes of malt liquor and wine;
(b) all classes of off-licence;
(c) occasional licences.
2. The receipt of applications for the issue, renewal and of new licences under the conditions stipulated in the Act, by the Liquor Licensing Board.
3. The issue of a licence for all applications approved and issued a certificate by the Liquor Licensing Boards.
4. The monitoring of licensed persons towards providing recommendations to the Liquor Licensing Boards.
5. The prosecution of persons found in breach of the Act.
6. Executing all requests and instructions of the District Licensing Board in keeping with the Act.
I wish to make it pellucid that the GRA will not condone illegal ‘bottom house rum shops.’ Hence we encourage persons to call our Intelligence Hotline on telephone number 227-6060 and give information (including the names of persons and addresses of illegal rum shops) which would be held in strict confidence.”
