Nongpoh: Following the Supreme Court’s decision on March 31 to exempt Meghalaya and Sikkim from the previous ruling banning liquor vends within 500 meters on state and national highways, the Ri Bhoi Wine Dealers Association (RBWDA) has expressed its gratitude to the Supreme Court for its significant order favouring the petitions filed by the Association.
The RBWDA in its meeting held at Byrnihat on Saturday has also clarified that the Supreme Court’s order on March 31 has clearly stated that there will be no restrictions on the distance from state and national highways for Meghalaya and Sikkim owing to its hilly terrain and also of the fact that 82% of its area is forested and over 90% of its liquor shops would be closed down if the ban is imposed strictly in its original form.
”As per the Supreme Court order on March 31, banning of liquor vends within 220 meters for areas with a population of up to 20,000 and 500 meters on state and national highways will not be applicable to the state of Meghalaya and Sikkim” General Secretary of RBWDA, Michael Kharhunai said.
The Association further urged the State Government to immediately put into effect the top court order so that it will not affect the wine stores located across the state. s including bars in Ri Bhoi District all together 556 in the state, but RBWDA is the only Association from Meghalaya which has filed the petition to the Supreme Court urging for exemption of its December 15 judgment and has achieve success with the top court ruling in their favour.
As part of celebration on the Supreme Court’s ruling on their favour, top leaders of the Association were also felicitated by the members during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by the leaders, members and advisers of the Ri Bhoi Wine Dealers Association (RBWDA) under the leadership of its president, Steven Kharshandi and general secretary, Michael Kharhunai.
