SHILLONG: With most of the liquor stores in and around Shillong being locked in view of the notification of the State government which restricts establishment of liquor shops within 200 metres from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals, the Shillong Wine Dealers Association on Tuesday asked the State government to implement the rules only for those shops which were set up after the notification was issued.
The association asserted that licenses of several liquor stores in Shillong had been issued in the British era and some licenses were issued way back in 1910.
The association pointed out that the Meghalaya government was earning revenue of around Rs 272 crore from the liquor stores in Shillong and the government will lose all revenue if the notification was implemented.
According to the association, if Meghalaya becomes a ‘dry state’, consequences would be worse as it would encourage sale of liquors; besides, people in the State would be more prone to other harmful substances.
It further said that most of the states including Assam and Madhya Pradesh have set a prescribed limit of 50 metres for setting up of liquor shops, and stated with surprise that the Meghalaya government had set the prescribed distance of 200 metres.
“Shillong is a very small place and if this notification is implemented, then there will be no wine shops in Shillong,” he said.
The association said that the closure of wine stores would also affect the tourism sector.
The association pointed out that 93 liquor stores in Shillong have been closed following the notification and only 10 were still operating in the city.
