The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set April 2015 deadline for the State Government to evict liquor shops within 500 metre radius of educational institution, temple and petrol pump.
NHRC member Sarat Sinha during its camp sitting here directed Excise Secretary SP Thakur to take immediate measures in this regard. In July last expressing dissatisfaction over the dilatory attitude of the State Government with regard to submission of status report on the presence of liquor shops in the proximity of educational institution, temple and petrol pump, the NHRC had said it would hear the issue in its scheduled sitting at Bhubaneswar.
last year Akhand of India Media Centre (IMC), a non-Government organisation, had submitted a complaint with the NHRC saying despite the rule that no bar and wine shop should be operated within a radius of 500 metre of any educational institution, temple, petrol pump or any other crowded place, many such outlets continue to operate in the State.
Meanwhile, Excise Minister Damodar Rout said all the wine shops located within 500 metre radius of schools, temples and petrol pumps would be evicted before the deadline.
The single bench of the commission heard at least 26 cases on Monday relating to education, labour, employment, SC/ST, health and energy in 15 districts including Puri, Cuttack, Baleswar,Ganjam and Koraput etc.
It is scheduled to hear 27 cases on Tuesday. It also took suo motu cognisance of a media report on sale of two baby girls in Jangidi village under Jemadei Penth panchayat in Rayagada district and directed the Chief Secretary to submit a report within four weeks.