Exploring middle path on SC order on liquor ban: Minister

THE SUPREME COURT ON MARCH 31 HAD MODIFIED ITS ORDER REDUCING THE DISTANCE TO 220 METRES IN AREAS HAVING A POPULATION OF UP TO 20,000

NEWDELHI: The tourism ministry will seek legal suggestions to explore a “middle path” to solve problems being faced by hoteliers and restaurant owners following the Supreme Court’s order banning liquor sale along highways.

Union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, however, said the government will work within the framework of the directives of the apex court in the matter.

The minister was speaking after a delegation of hoteliers and restaurant owners met him here on the issue of the order that liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways will have to be shut down from April 1.

The order is applicable to bars, pubs and restaurants serving liquor.

“We respect the Supreme Court order. We will take suggestions from legal experts to see whether there can be a middle path,” Sharma said.

He, however, said the matter is a state subject and any deci- sion regarding it will be taken by the state government.

“We will refer the problems being faced by the hoteliers and restaurant owners, due to the ban, to the states and it is for them to take necessary actions,” the minister said.

The Supreme Court on March 31 had modified its order reducing the distance to 220 metres in areas having a population of up to 20,000.

This criterion is also applicable to hill states like Sikkim, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh.

Thousands of restaurants, liquor vends and bars, including those in five-star hotels, along national and state highways have been stopped from serving alcohol since Saturday.