HC directs Himachal govt to close liquor vend near school

The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the state government to close forthwith a liquor vend near a school here besides seeking information about some other vends in the city.
It asked Principal Secretary (Excise and Taxation) to close the vend just opposite to Hotel Himland (East) adjoining a bus stoppage near the school from where the children board the buses.
The court further requested M A Khan, Additional Advocate General, to assist it regarding a vend near Sanitorium Hospital in Chaura Maidan and to factually ascertain whether it has been opened, contrary to any one of the directions issued by the Supreme Court or not.

Khan was also directed by the court to visit the vend at Lakkar Bazar for ascertaining as to whether it is being run in consonance with the excise policy, as also the directions of the Supreme Court or not.
The court also directed the department to file an affidavit of compliance within two days in this matter, positively.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed these orders after converting a letter written to the chief justice by Jan SevakGan to a public interest litigation.
The petitioner sought directions to the government for removal of the liquor vends along the road.

The court listed the matter for hearing on November 6.