Highway liquor ban not in cities: Supreme Court

MUMBAI: The cheer and clamour at bars and liquor shops on state and national highway stretches that fall within the limits of cities and towns are all set to stage a comeback.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that its original December 15 order to ban sale in liquor shops and bars within 500m of highways was aimed at vends along roads connecting cities and not along stretches that fall inside the city or town areas governed by municipal bodies.
Excise officials in Mumbai said over the next week, they will start re-issuing licenses; and after Ganpati celebrations, all bars and shops along highway stretches inside cities, will start operating.
“The purpose of the directions contained in the order dated 15 December 2016 is to deal with the sale of liquor along and in proximity of highways properly understood, which provide connectivity between cities, towns and villages. The order does not prohibit licenced establishments within municipal areas. This clarification shall govern other municipal areas as well. We have considered it appropriate to issue this clarification to set at rest any ambiguity ...,“ stated an order by an SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar.