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Mere hic-cup: Punjab skirts SC liquor ban

The relaxation was made after the government made an amendment in Section 26-A of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, which was unanimously passed on the last day of the Budget session.

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Finding a way around the Supreme Court's order on a liquor ban, the Punjab government has allowed hotels, pubs and restaurants situated within 500 metres of the National Highways to serve liquor within their premises.

The relaxation was made after the government made an amendment in Section 26-A of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, which was unanimously passed on the last day of the Budget session.

A provision was added according to which "every club, hotel, restaurant or any notified place having a licence shall be entitled to engage in the supply of liquor to members, guests or other persons for consumption of such liquor within the premises of such club, hotel, restaurant or notified place, irrespective of whether such club, hotel, restaurant or notified place is located on or near any national or state highway."

The amendment made a distinction between 'sale of liquor' and 'supply of liquor'. According to the added provisions, 'sale of liquor' was defined as transfer of liquor for consideration by a liquor vend for consumption by the purchaser at a place other than the premises of the liquor vend. 'Supply of liquor' was defined for consideration at hotels and pubs on the basis of a licence that is issued on the condition that such liquor shall be consumed within the premises. The hotels and pubs were permitted only for 'supply of liquor'.

While the Punjab Chief Minister was not present in the Assembly, Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra presented the Bill, stating that hotels, restaurants, clubs and other notified places are allowed to supply alcohol only for consumption within their premises to secure livelihood of a large segment of the state's population. However, there will be a restriction on opening of liquor vends on or within 500 metres of the highways.

Highlighting that the hospitality and tourism industry, which generates substantial employment in the state, was seriously affected due to the absence of supply of liquor, he said that their partial closure could create substantial unemployment.

This is the second time that the government had circumvented the SC order, as it had earlier denotified stretches of over 30 km on seven state highways in Punjab to allow liquor vends to function on those stretches. Restrictions were also lifted off from marriage palaces and banquet halls situated along highways to serve liquor.

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