SC exempts Arunachal, Andaman from order

The Supreme Court exempted on Wednesday Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Island from its verdict that prohibited sale of liquor within 500 metres of 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 1011 shops 916 were affected by the restriction. He contended 80 per cent of the state was covered by forests and the total revenue of the state was Rs 441.61 crore, of which Rs 210 crore came from liquor sale.

“The counsel appearing for Arunachal Pradesh states that the terrain in the state is similar to that of states of Sikkim and Meghalaya and, accordingly, state of Arunachal Pradesh deserves parity given to Sikkim and Meghalaya in the order passed by this court on March 31. The prayer is allowed,” the bench, also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and L N Rao, said. Similarly, the court 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.