Liquor ban on highways: Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala worst hit

The Supreme Court on Friday confirmed the ban on liquor vends on highways within a distance of 500 metres. It also made it clear that serving of alcohol in bars and restaurants on highways also fell under the purview of the ban.

The states which are the most affected as a result of this ban are Kerala and Goa. The verdict of the Supreme Court hits 789 wine stores within the 500 metre limit. Moreover in Goa, there are 2.289 bars and restaurants in Goa which will have to close their liquor menu.

In Kerala, there are 700 beer and wine parlours which will fall under the purview of this order. Among the 32 five star hotels only 5 will be allowed to sell liquor. In the case of Maharashtra an estimated 15,500 establishments are likely to be affected as a result of the Supreme Court order. An estimate that has been prepared by the Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association says that there are 12,000 bars and restaurants alone that will be affected by this order.

In the case of Rajasthan there are 2,800 liquor vendors along the highways. All these units will be affected from April 1 onwards. The Rajasthan excise department will now conduct a fresh survey to ascertain the number of bars and restaurants along the highway which serve alcohol. The Supreme Court on Friday had made it clear that the ban applies to bars, restaurants and pubs along the highway.

OneIndia News