SC exempts Arunachal, Andaman from ban on highway liquor vends
The Supreme Court on Wednesday exempted Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Island from the 500-metre cap on liquor vends across the national and state highways.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar relaxed the cap for Arunachal Pradesh after it was told that half of the state’s revenue came from the sale of liquor. The lawyer sought parity with Sikkim and Meghalaya that are allowed to have liquor vends within 220 metres from highways.
The lawyer submitted that out of 1,011 shops, 916 were affected by the restriction. He contended 80% of the state was covered by forests and the total revenue of the state was ₹441.61 crore, of which ₹210 crore came from liquor sale.
“The counsel appearing for Arunachal said the terrain in the state is similar to that of Sikkim and Meghalaya and, accordingly, Arunachal deserves parity given to the two states in the order passed by this court on March 31. The prayer is allowed,” the bench, also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and LN Rao, said. Similarly, it allowed Andaman and Nicobar’s application to grant it the same relaxation.
However, Uttarakhand did not get the relief because its counsel could not furnish the data on the revenue loss the state has incurred due to the ban. The court gave time to the lawyer to provide the details. “You provide us the data. We will give you time. We are not agreeable at this stage,” the bench said, posting the matter next week.
SC had on March 31 modified its December 15, 2016 order that disallowed sale of liquor along the highways. It held its order was not just application to liquor vends but also to bars, pubs and restaurants as drunk driving led to fatal road accidents, particulary on highways which have high-speed traffic.
It also amended the 500-metre cap rule for Meghalaya, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, saying they may have vends at a distance of 220 metres from highways.