Arunachal- Wine Shops Sealing along Highways Continue

Namsai

After Supreme Court’s order of banishing Wine shops within 500m of the national and state highways from April 1,  till now around 80 wine shops located within 500 metres of highways has been sealed in all over state.

According to government sources as many as 23 liquor outlets located along the national/state highway in Namsai district were sealed by the officials of Tax and Excise Department on March 31 for non-compliance with the Supreme Court order. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner through an executive order had directed the owners of liquor outlets to shift their establishments beyond 500 meters from the highway.

In Aalo, as many as 58 wine shops falling within 500 meters distance from the highway have been sealed by the Tax & Excise officials. This was done in compliance with the directive of the Collector of Tax and Excise, West Siang district, following the Supreme Court’s recent order banning liquor vends within 500 meters of State and National Highways across the country. Led by Circle Officer Lijum Ete, a team of Tax & Excise officials including its Superintendent Kojar Nake with the help of police personnel had sealed the wine shops. While sealing the shops, it was found that owners of few shops have either shifted to different locations beyond 500 meters or pre-empted their liquors shops after the expiry of deadline served to them for shifting the shops.