State to follow Supreme Court guideline on highways
SHILLONG: The state government on Friday relaxed the excise rule that had restricted liquor shops in urban areas within 200 metres from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals but highway norms have become more stringent.
The state cabinet on Friday reduced the cut-off distance from 200 metres to 50 metres but the decision came with a rider.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said retail wine shops within the 50 metres limit will remain open between 4 pm-8 pm.
However, retail shops at a distance of more than 100 metres from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals need not follow the timings.
The cabinet also observed that there should be a provision in the excise rules that would enable the government to announce any area liquor-free zone.
However, Sangma said an apex court ruling stated that liquor shops should be 500 metres away from the edge of the national and state highways.
The chief minister said all signboards advertising liquor shops along state and national highways will be removed. “No shop should be visible or directly accessible from the highways,” Sangma said.
Earlier, the permissible limit fixed by the state to set up liquor shops in the city limits was 50 metres from the midpoint of national and state highways and 100 metres in other places.
As many as 93 of the 106 liquor stores in East Khasi Hills have been locked following the earlier notification of the state government that set the minimum distance at 200m.
