HC asks govt to put complete ban on liquor in Chardham area

Uttarakhand High Court has asked the state government to put a complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor in three districts where the four famous Himalayan shrines also known as the 'Chardham' are located.
Hearing a PIL seeking a ban on a banquet hall in Haridwar for allegedly serving liquor, a division bench comprising justices Rajeev Sharma and Alok Singh directed the state government yesterday to impose a complete ban on liquor in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts from the next fiscal (2017-18).
A government order dated February 24, 2002 prohibits sale and consumption of liquor in Haridwar because of the religious significance of the place.

The high altitude Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines are located in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts respectively whereas Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are situated in Uttarkashi district.
Though praising the state government for prohibiting sale of liquor in specified areas, the court said a complete ban is required at least in these districts considering growing tendency to consume liquor among youngsters.
The court also asked the state government to impose prohibition on public drinking and take steps to check "large drunken gatherings".

"No person should create public nuisance or resort to violence in the state of intoxication either at a public place or at a private residence.

"There must be no drunken gatherings either at public or private places," it said.
There should be no liquor shop from the next financial year within one kilometre radius of an educational institution or a religious place, it said.
The court also asked the state government to put a ban on vending tobacco within a radius of five kilometre from Gurdwara Nanakmatta, Gurdwara Meetha Reetha Sahib and Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib.