New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre to convene a meeting of the authorities concerned of all the states and Union Territories to find a way out for closure of liquor shops on national and state highways.
A bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and S.A. Bobde gave this direction after the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi submitted that as per the 2005-06 model policy, liquor vends should be allowed beyond 220 metres from the centre of highways on either side
In a brief order the bench said, “This batch of cases pertains to sale of alcohol in the proximity of national and state highways. After hearing parties and the AG we are of the opinion that a meeting needs to be called of the concerned authorities of the states and union territories by the Union to have a fresh look at the Model Policy: Excise and Taxation Act and Rules for Alcohol and Alcoholic beverages.”
The bench said, “This policy was prepared in 2005-06 for consideration and adoption by states and UTs and Union ministries concerned. Ten years have gone by. Some judgments have been delivered by some High Courts in the meanwhile directing closure of liquor shops on highways.. It will be more appropriate that the policy is revisited only with regard to the allocation of liquor vends and sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages in the proximity of national and state highways.”
In its affidavit, Tamil nadu said it was taking adequate steps to relocate the liquor retail vending shops on the National Highways and would complete the exercise expeditiously.
