HC directive on plea to close liquor shops on highways

The Madras High Court today directed the Puducherry government to consider a representation seeking closure of all bars and liquor shops along the national highways in the union territory.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan passed the order while closing a PIL by Advocates' Forum for Social Justice President K Balu.
"The representation of the petitioner dated August 25 be disposed of in accordance with law by the authorities, within a maximum period of one month from today," the bench said in its brief order directing the Prohibition and Excise Department of Puducherry government.

The petitioner had said that the Supreme Court had confirmed the February 25, 2013 order of the high court directing relocation or closure of the shops in the state high ways and national highways.
However, even after the apex court direction, the liquor shops were being run by Puducherry government because of which number of road accidents involving drunken driving was on the increase, he contended.
He further submitted the Union Road and Highways Road and Highways had issued a circular on December 1, 2011 and a letter on March 11, 2013 directing relocation of or closure of liquor shops along the national highways.