Punjab lifts curbs on liquor near highways

Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Monday gave its nod to amend the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, for fixing the location of liquor vends on national and state highways. The amendment, once passed, would lift restrictions on hotels, restaurants and clubs from serving liquor within 500 meters of highways, a state government spokesman said here after a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

“The ‘Council of ministers’ gave a go-ahead to the draft amendment Bill 2017 in this regard to be tabled during the current budget session for enactment,” the spokesman, quoting the decision of the Council said. “By amending Section 26-A of Punjab Excise Act, 1914, all ambiguities for serving of liquor at hotels, restaurants and clubs would be removed by adding provisions whereby it is cleared that no retail vend would be opened within 500 metres of the National and State Highways, but these restrictions shall not apply to hotels, restaurants and clubs situated on the National and State Highways.” The Council of Ministers also gave its formal approval to the budgetary proposals to be presented by state finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday.

The Council also approved the setting up of a dedicated horticulture university.