Highway liquor ban: Banquet halls, marriage gardens to challenge Supreme Court order

Source:- indiatoday.intoday.in

Following a widespread impact of Supreme Court’s order banning the sale of liquor along National and State Highways, banquet halls, marriage gardens and tent associations have decided to challenge SC’s decision.

The move comes up after the excise department decided to stop issuing one-day liquor licenses for marriages and parties held in banquet and marriage halls falling within 500 metres of the highways.

The decision by the excise department is likely to impact banquet halls and party halls along the Gurugram-Faridabad expressway, Pataudi road, Basai-Jhajjar road and Sohna road.

WILL IT EASE OUT AT LATTER STAGES?

Anil Rao, president of banquet hall and tent association union said, “Sometimes, injustice takes place even in higher courts and hence, it has been decided that the order will be challenged as the matter concerns jobs of a large number of people.”

He further added, “It was not a complete decision taken by the Supreme Court that undermined the point of view of the other side. We have figured out some points and we will put our case before the attorney general of the state as well as file a separate case in the Supreme Court to challenge the decision.”

He said that implementation of court order at the ground level is not an easy task for local monitoring bodies. It will definitely ease out at latter stages.

The banquet halls and gardens have not received any complaints from their clients so far. Many of the marriage hall owners have decided to follow a wait and watch policy to experience the consequences of the order first.

“Though, we have not received any complaints from clients due to excise department’s denial of one-day liquor license for marriage functions and parties. The move of excise department will certainly affect our businesses as individuals may avoid booking functions in commercial establishments within 500 metres,” Rao said.

HARYANA ANALYSING ORDER IMPACT

Haryana finance minister, Capt Abhimanyu said the state government is analysing the impact of the order after closure of liquor vends.

“There is a possibility of a negative impact on employment of thousands of people working in tourism and hospitality sector. The loss to the excise department due to SC’s decision will be calculated only after a proper study. Apart from excise department, court’s decision will also impact revenue from value-added tax,” Abhimanyu said.

“The Haryana Advocate General has given his opinion according to which permission would not be given to the license holder at a motorable distance of 500 metres on both sides of highways. Before old licence is renewed, it would be observed whether the licensed vend is located within the limit of 500 metres or not,” he added.