HC directs ITDC to obtain licence for selling liqour at airport

Mumbai, June 7 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), which is running a duty-free liquor shop at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, to obtain a license for sale of liquor under the State Excise rule.

Justice D G Karnik today passed an order on a petition filed by ITDC challenging the State Government's notice of November 23, 2001 and April 23, 2002, directing them to pay excise duty for the sale of liquor.

The petitioner argued that the shop is an undertaking of the Government of India and the airport comes under the Union of India, hence compelling them to pay excise was illegal and the court should direct the State Government to withdraw the notices against them.

The court, however, disagreed with the petitioner and held that it was incumbent upon the petitioner to obtain a license for the sale of liquor in duty-free shops as laid down under provisions of the Bombay Prohibition Act.

UNI XR-ARM MAZ VD HT2238