Exploring middle path on SC order on highway liquor ban, says minister

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 decision 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 .

India didn’t do enough to stop a string of attacks on Africans in Greater Noida last month, a statement by a group of African envoys has said, the first official reaction to the assaults that triggered nationwide condemnation.

In a late night reaction on Monday, the external affairs ministry said it was “unfortunate” that a criminal act had been described as racial. The ministry added that the government is committed to the security of all foreign nationals, including Africans.

A statement by the Heads of African Mission dated March 31 sought a strong condemnation at the highest level in India, legal action against perpetrators and an independent investigation by human rights bodies.