This is what Siddaramaiah govt is doing to save liquor shops and bars on highway!

The cabinet meeting decided to denotify the highways that runs through the cities and towns This is expected to save at least 70 per cent of liquor outlets on the stretch and also plug the revenue loss The Supreme Court had ordered to shut down liquor shops 500 mts within the highways

The Siddaramaiah government seems to be on an overdrive to save the liquor and bar shops located on the highways that were facing threat after the Apex Court order.

At a meeting chaired by the chief minister on Tuesday, the cabinet has decided to denotify the highways that runs through cities and towns, apparently to save the liquor shops on these stretches. The cabinet proposal clearly bypasses the Supreme Court order that had directed the closure of all liquor shops within the 500 mts of highways, reports Kannada Prabha.

A total stretch of 6,572 km national highway runs through the state of which 858 km national highway passes through the cities and towns. The state government is now attempting to save at least 70 per cent of these shops and also plug the revenue loss that the government would suffer if these shops are shut by denotifying these stretches.

In fact, the existing liquor licences will be valid till June 30 and the liquor outlets on the highways will have three months time to move outside the highway zone. As many as 5,950 licences have been provided to liquor outlets located within 500 mts of highways, reports The Indian Express. Of the 5,950 licensed outlets, 2,510 are wine shops, 1,599 bars, 219 star hotels and 173 are clubs.

The state government is expected to send a proposal to the Union government in this regard. Other states are also making a similar attempt, it is said.