Out of the total number of 99 liquor shops in Chandigarh, 77 are on the verge of closure. As per the result of the survey conducted by the Department of Excise and Taxation, it has been said that 77 liquor shops come under the radius of 500 meters from the state highway. Following the decision of Supreme Court that no vend of liquor will be carried out within the 500-meter radius of state and national highways, the department has conducted the survey. And the department is all set to submit the survey report soon to the higher authorities. After the submission of the reports, further action would be taken against the vendors of liquor shops in regard to this in the city.
And the department is all set to submit the survey report soon to the higher authorities. After the submission of the reports, further action would be taken against the vendors of liquor shops in regard to this in the city.
Highlights of the Decision
The sale of liquor is always on high demand in Chandigarh as people from Punjab, as well as Hayana and nearby states buy liquor from Chandigarh. Liquor in the city is cheaper as compared to these states. But it is very difficult to get the license of a liquor shop in the city as per the strict rules of the Administration.
In 2006, the Administration has issued a notice that declared all the V1 (fast roads that connect Chandigarh to other towns), V2(arterial roads) and V3 (fast vehicular sector dividing roads) as state highway.
Not only the vends of the liquor will get closed but the bar license of the hotels, bars and restaurant will also not be renewed from 1st April 2017 that falls within 500-meter radius of state and national highway roads.
What Supreme Court Says
In December 2016, Supreme Court passed an order that stated – liquor vends must be at least 500 meters away from the state and national highways. The order even stated that apart from the liquor vend, the bar license of the bars, hotels and restaurants on these roads will not be renewed from 1st April 2017.
Following the order, the department mapped and listed the state highways where the vends still exist and have identified them. It is expected that soon strict actions will be taken against the violators.
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