Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has decided to file a writ petition against the State Government which has failed to take an action on recommendations of the Commission regarding removal of wine shops from residential localities.
MPHRC Joint-Director Rohit Mehta informed about the decision of the Commission on Sunday. "The petition has been already drafted. As soon as the Commission approves the draft, petition would be filed in the court," he added.
He also informed that the Commission has taken a positive view of the move by Vara village panchayat in Balaghat district which had decided to remove a country-made liquor shop from the village following the recommendations of the Commission.
"The panchayat has shown considerable will power by implementing in its village the recommendation that was earlier made by the Commission to the Government here. MPHRC has taken a very positive note of this move," Mehta informed, adding that the decision was taken by the panchayat in a special meeting of the Gram Sabha that was convened for the purpose.
A copy of the decision of the panchayat was provided to the Commission by the Balaghat Collector. According to the decision the liquor shop will be shifted away from the residential area at a distant place so that it could not become a source of nuisance for the villagers. The panchayat will construct a room and rent it to the liquor shop for Rs 3000 every month.
Earlier, on a complaint by the residents of Vara village about nuisance created in the locality due to the liquor shop, the Commission had written to Balaghat Collector directing him to file a report about the situation there. It had also directed him to take steps to shift the liquor shop away from the locality. The Collector had informed the Commission that shifting the liquor shop would adversely affect government revenue.