The Odisha High Court on Friday issued notices to the State and Union Governments seeking replies from them within eight weeks on a PIl which calls for imposition of total prohibition of liquor in the State.
After a preliminary hearing, Chief Justice AK Goel and Justice AK Rath issued the notices to all the respondents named in the PIl. Social worker Padmashree Tulasi Munda, former HC judge Choudhury PK Mishra and seven other eminent persons had moved the PIl in July this year praying the HC to declare 20-A and 22-A of Bihar and Orissa Excise Act of 1915 as illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires to Article 47 of the Constitution.
The petitioners have also urged the HC to direct the State Government to notify and enforce the Odisha Prohibition Act of 1956 with framing Rules thereof so as to achieve the goal of total prohibition. They have also urged the HC to pass an order directing the State Government to stop spread of liquor business completely by closing the shops in a phased manner.