SHILLONG: Despite the hue and cry by liquor store owners, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that he favoured relocation of liquor stores which fall under the new amended guidelines of the Excise department.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that relocation of liquor stores will help to have better business in the long run.
The September 23, 2015 notification related to the amended rule states that liquor shops should not be set up within 200 meters of places of public worship, educational institutions and hospitals.
The order also restricts setting up of liquor shops within a distance of 50 metres from the mid-point of national/state highways within the city/town limits, and 100 metres from mid-point of national and state highways on the outskirts.
The Chief Minister said that the guideline to restrict setting up of liquor shops at the highways will help to minimize road accidents.
Asked about whether the state government will review the decision related to the restriction on 200 meters, the Chief Minister said that since the issue is pending with the High Court of Meghalaya, any appeal will have to be placed before the Court.
The Chief Minister, however, advocated setting up of liquor shops from sufficient distance.
