Good news for 'Feni' lovers! Goa's traditional brew to get 'heritage spirit' tag

Panaji: The Goa government has decided to amend the four-decade-old excise act to give 'Feni'- a famous traditional brew - a `heritage spirit' tag.

According to Goa Excise Commissioner Menino D'Souza, the state government will move an amendment to the Goa Excise Duty Act, 1964, which will save Feni from being tagged as country liquor.

We want to place Feni alongside tequila and scotch, he was quoted as saying by ToI.

As per reports, the amendment is likely to be moved during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Goa Assembly scheduled in July.

The decision is likely to boost demand for Feni and open new markets across the country .

The sale of Feni has hit a roadblock due to the `country liquor' label as its sale is not allowed in any other state except Daman.

The Feni-distilling industry has long demanded removal of the country liquor tag as the brew has already won Geographical Indication recognition.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had recently announced the decision to accord Feni the heritage spirit status.