Relaxing Liquor Ban

Why in news?

The Supreme Court has exempted Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the court's ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of National and State Highways.

What were the impacts of liquor ban in Arunachal?

• 80% of Arunachal’s roads are national highways.
• Arunachal Pradesh had lost 50% of its revenue following the ban which earmarked 500 metres alongside highways as liquor-free zones.

What was the court’s rationale?

• The Supreme Court took note of the geographical locations of Arunachal Pradesh and the A&N islands.
• It concluded that they “deserved parity” with Sikkim and Meghalaya.
• Recently, Sikkim and Meghalaya got a full exemption from the 500-m no-liquor zone ban.
• Sikkim and Meghalaya were exempted on the grounds that 82% and 69% of their area respectively were covered by forests.
• Over 90% of their liquor shops would be closed if the ban was imposed as it is.
• The court also relaxed the liquor-free zone along highways from 500 m to 220 m in areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Source: The Hindu