Hyderabad: Following a hue and cry from top hotels and clubs, the Telangana state government is all set to exempt star hotels, clubs, bars and liquor shops located within 100 metres of highways along core areas of the city from a ban on selling/serving liquor.
The government will amend the rule along the lines of Karnataka state stating that a National Highway or State Highway shall not include parts situated within the limits of a municipal corporation or city.
Several prominent hotels and clubs in the city received notices from the excise department asking them to relocate from highways as per Supreme Court orders.
These establishments have been demanding the government relax the norm. They brought the issue to the notice of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who agreed to amend the rule.
The roads and buildings and transport departments have been asked to submit a proposal to the government to this effect for approval.
Excise and prohibition commissioner R.V. Chandravadan has convened a meeting with officials and liquor traders to discuss these issues on January 22 and 23.
The excise department will study the procedures being adopted in neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Odisha.
The department has served notices to 5,000 such establishments asking them to relocate within 15 days.
However, managements of some hotels and clubs in city have threatened to move the court against relocation orders if the government fails to amend the rule in core areas of the city.
