UP Chief Secy says officials directed to jointly finalise place before shifting liquor shop

After the protest in the state against the shifting of liquor shops to residential areas, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar on Wednesday said the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, excise officer and the Police Commissioner have been directed to jointly finalise the place before shifting any shop to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

Bhatnagar said that several incidents have been highlighted in which the liquor shop has been vandalized and robbed, adding that instruction has been given to the District Magistrate to prevent such incidents from taking place.

"Certain shop that has been shifted has witnessed the resentment of public. Strict action has been given not to transfer such shops near schools, colleges or religious places. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, excise officer and the Commissioner of Police has been directed to jointly finalise the place where the shops are being shifted," Bhatnagar said after holding a video conference with all the District Magistrates of the state.

He also informed that even they would hold talks with the local NGOs protesting against the shifting of shops and would request them to work as per law.

"We will request the NGOs to work as per law and not breach it and to keep their protest peaceful. Strict action will be taken against the one taking law in their hand," he said.

The Supreme Court earlier on Thursday reserved its order on banning off liquor vends on state and national highways.

Hearing a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor outlets within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country, the apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice J.S Khehar, reserved the order.

With the shutting down of liquor shops near highways, several areas in Uttar Pradesh saw women protesting against such shops being shifted to residential areas.

The women torched a liquor shop in Hapur while several others were vandalised.