Punjab to amend Excise Act to allow sale of liquor near highways.

Johnson Cherian.

In an attempt to ease the liquor serving norms, Punjab government gave nod to a proposal to amend the Excise Act to enable hotels, restaurants and clubs to serve alcohol within 500 meters of highways. The amendment Bill, 2017, with regard to Punjab Excise Act, 1914, will be tabled during the ongoing budget session for enactment.

The Punjab cabinet, on June 19 gave its nod to a proposal to amend Section 26-A of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, for fixing the location of liquor vends on national and state highways, thus removing hotels, restaurants and clubs from the restrictions on serving of liquor within 500 meters of highways.

“By amending Section 26-A of Punjab Excise Act, 1914, all ambiguities for serving of liquor at hotel, restaurants and clubs would be removed by adding provisions whereby it is cleared that no retail vend would be opened within 500 meter of the national and state highways, however, these restrictions shall not apply to the hotels, restaurants and clubs situated on the national and state highways,” said an official release.

The cabinet gave approval to the draft amendment Bill, 2017, in this regard, which to be tabled during the ongoing budget session for enactment, added the release.

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