SC releases new order for liquor vendors on national highways

In what will prove to be a big relief for liquor shops and permit rooms, there will be no liquor ban on national highways within cities as per a notification from the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The order also stated that the ban on liquor vends near national highways does not apply to licensed establishments falling within municipal areas. 
 
The SC order was in response to a special leave petition filed by an NGO – Arrive Safe Society of Chandigarh – against the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The SC had dismissed this petition on July 11 and had indicated that its reasons for dismissal would follow. 
 
According to the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), the apex court’s order would ease the problem faced by the hotel and restaurant industry by about 70%. The industry lost around Rs 200 crore revenue in food and beverages and the MICE business declined in all affected establishments. 
 
It is expected that there will be close attention paid to liquor stocks during today’s trading session. Meanwhile, United Breweries was trading at Rs 804.40, up by 0.25%; United Spirits was trading at Rs 2,471.60, down by 1.02%; Radico Khaitan was trading at Rs 162.50, up by 0.4%; Tilaknagar Industries declined by 1.36% and closed at Rs 10.87 on Wednesday; and Pincon Spirits was trading at Rs 44.90, up by 3.10%.