HC upholds Govt stand on setting up of wine shops

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday upheld the notification of the state government regarding restriction imposed for setting up of wine shops.
The amended Meghalaya Excise Rules prohibits setting up of wine stores in areas within 100 metres from the midpoint of national or state highways and 200 metres from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals.
The Court after hearing a petition referred to the order of Commissioner and Secretary Excise that representation by the petitioners who are wine shop owners cannot be entertained and that the provisions of the amended Rule 183 of the Meghalaya Excise Rules notified vide No. ERTS (E) 1/2012/139, dated 23.9.2015 should be enforced as originally envisaged.
“The Commissioner of Excise is directed to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the amended Rule 183 and to issue necessary directions to all district and sub-divisional offices to ensure that existing IMFL shops which have attracted the provisions of the amended Rule 183 should cease to operate with effect from April 1 positively. In cases where licensees who have attracted the provisions of the amended Rule had deposited the renewal fees, the same should be refunded forthwith under due acknowledgement of receipt”, the order of the Commissioner and Secretary said.