SC bans liquor sale along highways from 1 Apr
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 15 December 2016 22:40 IST
The Supreme Court has directed all the state governments to clear all the liquor shops from state and national highways by 1st of April.
The landmark judgment of the apex court may affect the tourist state’s economy severely as Goan highways have thousands of liquor shops all along its state and national highways.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar appeared to be not aware of the judgment.
“I presume it would be for new licenses, which we have stopped issuing. Anyway, let me study the judgment and then comment on it”, he said.
The Supreme Court in its judgment has said that the licenses issued for sale of liquor would expire from 1st April.
The court order also states that liquor shops should be 500 metres away from the state or national highway all over India.
Similarly, the court has also banned displaying of hoardings or posters of liquor along the roads.
The order is issued after the apex court took serious note of 1.5 lakh deaths in road accidents every year.
One statistics has also revealed that there are 17 deaths taking place every hour on Indian roads.
The top court's order was on a public interest litigation filed by an NGO called 'Arrive Safe'.
All bars in Vasco are open by paying bribe to the excise inspector of Murmugoa. It is understood half of the amount of bribe of Rs 1000/- per month goes to the Commissioner of Excise. If beef can be banned in Uttarpradesh why liquor is allowed when it is stooped by the Supreme Court Of India.