HC asks govt to frame rehab scheme for arrack vendors

Bangalore, June 29 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today directed the state government to evolve a rehabilitation scheme within two months for arrack vendors and workers who will be hit by ban on arrack sale.

While disposing of a petition by Bangalore City and Rural District Arrack Vendors Association and its members, Justice K L Manjunath took note on record the submission made on behalf of the government and observed it should consider recommendations and suggestions made by the petitioners regarding the rehabilitation and evolve a scheme as early as possible which was not later than two months.

The petitioners challenged the decision of the government declared in the Budget to ban manufacture and sale of arrack in the state of Karnataka from July one, 2007.

They sought a direction to accept the recommendation and suggestions made by them while considering the scheme of rehabilitation of arrack vendors by the government.

The petitioners claimed to be licenced vendors of arrack and the first petitioner association stated it represented about 2.20 lakh arrack vendors and workers whose names had been found in the Noukarnama prepared as per the provisions of the Excise Act and Rules.

It was stated arrack vending was the only source of their livelihood and they actually earned a meagre income of about Rs 30 per day.

It was contended the proposed ban was highly arbitrary and in violation of their fundamental right under Article 19(1)(g) and Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioners further contended the percentage content of Ethyl Alcohol in arrack as well as in other Indian made foreign liquor was the same and therefore the ban on only sale and manufacture of arrack was discriminatory and unreasonable and did not fulfil the purpose of ban.

The state government represented by the Advocate General stated and supported the decision to ban arrack on the ground that the impugned decision was taken in view of the social evil and harm the consumption of arrack was causing.

However it was submitted the case of the petitioners would be considered by the government in the light of the difficulties of the workers and vendors of arrack.

UNI