The Chhattisgarh Cabinet was informed on Tuesday that the proposed Chhattisgarh liquor (Amendment ) Ordinance 2017 had been sent to the Governor for approval.
Under the ordinance, the Government will constitute a public sector undertaking to auction country and foreign liquor retail shops keeping in view the revenues and the general health condition of the masses.
The undertaking will be totally autonomous. For this, the State Cabinet had decided to amend the Chhattisgarh liquor Act 1915 Section 18 (K).
Meanwhile, it may be recalled that in Raipur, District Collector OP Chaudhary had directed officials that liquor shops operating within a periphery of 500 metres from national and State highways be shifted in compliance with the Supreme Court order.
At a meeting of the concerned departmental officers at the Red Cross Building in the District Collectorate, the Collector instructed to take necessary action for removal of liquor shops from national and State highways.
Choudhary said that a team of Revenue, Police, Excise, Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department and National Highway officials will undertake a survey of liquor shops.Further action would be taken on the basis of the survey report, he said, adding that liquor shops within the periphery of the highways would be shifted beyond 500 metres. The action follows a Supreme Court order.
For this, the concerned civic bodies and gram panchayats would be provided necessary funds.
The action to remove liquor shops beyond a distance of 500 metres from National and State highways is being taken in compliance with a Supreme Court order.