Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court today gave its nod to reopen all the liquor shops on National Highways (NH) coming under Municipality areas across Odisha.
As per reports, a letter in this regard has already been sent to the Excise Commissioner of the State by the Excise Secretary to implement SC order.
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The decision of the apex court is being seen as a relief for the liquor and hospitality industry in the State. Besides, it will help the government minimise its revenue losses due to closure of liquor vends following the SC ruling in April this year.
Earlier, the State government had re-classified the NHs crossing through Corporations, Municipalities, Sub-divisions, Blocks and Tehsil headquarters to circumvent the SC ban on liquor shops within 500 meters of State and National Highways.
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Later, the SC also clarified its decision and said the ban does not apply within city limits, thereby allowing reopening of all the liquor shops on highways coming under municipality areas across Odisha.