Unlike several States, including West Bengal playing cat and mouse game, the Jharkhand Government has decided to fully abide by the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court branding liquor trade along highways
as illegal.
Highly placed sources in the Excise Department told The Pioneer that as many as 650 liquor shops had been shut down following the order that make it obligatory on the States not to renew the contracts of those operating within 500 meters along highways.
“The decision has huge bearing on Jharkhand and on the revenue our Department generates. We have not renewed licenses of anything from 600 to 650 liquor shops that expired on March 31, in the light of the order. It is expected to cause loss to the exchequer of about Rs 400 crore annually,” said a top official on Monday requesting anonymity. Ranchi and Dhanbad are the districts worst hit after the apex court ban.
When asked whether the Department is looking for a way out, he denied, saying that intention of the Government is to adhere to the order in its letter and spirit. “The Government has decided to abide by the order. We are not looking for any other way out. Though a formal letter to the Road Construction Department (RCD) has been sent informing them about number of shops getting affected by this order,” he added.
Similar sense prevailed with the RCD when its Chief Engineer denied having any intention to denotify the status of National or State highways across Jharkhand. “We have 26 NHs and 18 State Highways having length of around 2700 kms and 1200 kms, respectively in the State. The list of all such roads has been submitted to the Excise Department for their action. As of now there is no proposal to delist any such highway as municipal or rural road with us.
In fact, we would be adding more roads in our highway kitty by the next year,” said Chief Engineer Ras Bihari Singh.
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J’khand not to bypass SC’s ‘dry-way’ order
Anyway the decision to notify or other way round lies with the Cabinet where no such proposal is pending or expected to be brought. However, shifting of 600-odd shops functional along the main arteries is yet to be accomplished.
“As per the Supreme Court’s order all such shops had to be shut down. We had to renew their licenses which we have not done in the beginning of the financial year. As far as their shifting is concerned, the owners are looking for options. Some are finding alternate places 500 meters away from highways while many would have to windup. The process is still in transition phase,” said Excise Department Secretary Avinash Kumar.
Important to mention here is that the Opposition parties and several social organisations have been raising liquor ban issue in the State in the lines of Bihar. Insiders in the Government admit that the ruling BJP was under intense pressure on this front.
“Since the Department lies with the Chief Minister, the message after not allowing any leeway to be found would go out loud and clear,” said a senior party leader.