By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi has issued a seven-point order relating to re-opening of liquor stores and their relocation in West Garo Hills. The order was issued after a meeting was held in Tura and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma gave certain directives as per provisions of amended Rule 183 of the Meghalaya Excise Rules.
As per the order, it was mandatory to procure fresh No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the local area development committee or headman or locality committee in all cases of re-location of liquor stores in the district which would have to mandatorily involve the people and residents of the locality and the local church and religious institution.
The order further said that the measurement of the distance of the liquor store from the state or national highway shall be taken from the middle of the road and should not exceed 50 metres in the town areas and 100 metres outside and the shortest aerial distance shall be considered.
According to the order, the measurement of the distance of the liquor store from an educational institution when taken as per the shortest aerial distance shall not be more than 200 metres and for this, the earlier procedure of taking the walking distance from the gate of the educational institution/hospital/health facility shall not be followed but the shortest and visible distance shall be adhered to. He said that the measurement of the liquor store from the place of worship shall also follow the same principle.
“The issue of whether the place of religious worship came up before or after the liquor store shall be irrelevant for consideration as it is case of relocation of the liquor store,” the order said.
Meanwhile, the DC ordered that there shall be daily stock taking as far as bonded warehouses are concerned and the same shall be reported to Deputy Commissioner (Excise).
“The regulations about the timings of the liquor stores, restriction of sale to minors, insistence on valid proof in doubtful cases etc., need to be strictly followed,” he said adding that police and excise officials should do regular checking and take action as per law.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had directed the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner to convene a meeting between officials of the Excise department, the owner of the bonded warehouse and other stakeholders on the issue of alleged illegal liquor stores springing up in and around New Tura locality. The move came after a delegation of the Mothers’ Group of New Tura, hell bent on fighting against springing up of illegal liquor shops in the locality on Sunday, met the Chief Minister and submitted a memorandum urging him to look into the matter.