In order to save jobs and businesses, the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has decided to relocate 43 liquor vends. The move came after the Supreme Court banned sale of liquor within a distance of 500 metres from the outer edges of National or State highways. Earlier, officials had started work to determine the distance of the liquor vends, pubs, bars and hotels from the highways.
However, the Excise Department has stalled the process for now and will begin the work after it identifies locations to shift these liquor vents first. “It has been made necessary by the SC order banning sale of liquor within a distance of 500 metres from National and State highways.
“However, we have also received a couple of complaints related to the locations of the liquor vends next to schools and temples. We have to rectify this problem first and our teams have begun the exercise of identifying new locations for these vends away from temples and schools,” HC Dahiya, Excise Commissioner, West Gurugram told The Pioneer.
“The measurement in the city’s eastern and western region will be put on hold as we have to identify the new locations for the liquor vends first,” Dahiya added.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Excise Department has recognised 115 pubs, bars and around six five-star hotels that come within the 500 metre zone, which include Cyber Hub and some areas of the MG Road along with some prominent hotels.
Talking about the motorable distance, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hardeep Singh said, “We have already formed two teams that will check the distance of these outlets from the National and State highways.”
“It has come to our notice that entry points of the leela Kempinski and Cyber Hub have been changed but our two committees will check these points and action will be taken accordingly,” he added.
There are around 115 pubs that fall within the distance of 500 meters proscribed by the Apex Court and the owners have been directed not to serve liquor to their customers.
The DC further said two committees have been formed by the district administration to enforce the Apex Court’s order which will also look into disputes that may arise with owners of the closed establishments.
Several pubs and bars located in the Cyber Hub, Sector 29 and premier hotels like the leela, Trident, Oberoi and Westin have not been able to sell liquor because of their proximity to the Expressway.
“We have not received any written letter from the State Government pertaining to the motorable distance. The administration will take necessary actions as per the Supreme Court’s order against these outlets that come within 500 meters areas from the State and National highways,” the DC, said.