HC orders issue of notice on PIL on closing liquor shops

The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise returnable by October 10 on a PIL seeking a direction to authorities to close state-run liquor shops on the first two and last two days of a month and also during festivals.
In her PIL, advocate S Pradeepa also wanted liquor shops to remain closed from Friday afternoon and Saturday every week and also during festivals like Diwali, Pongal, Christmas, Easter, Tamil and English new years.
The petitioner submitted that there were 62.5 million alcohol consumers in the country and the consumption increased by 106.7 per cent over the past 25 years.

She contended that the directive principles of state policy emphasised on a healthy society and socialised living in the country and it was the duty of the state to provide healthy and cultured society.
She claimed that the revenue earned by the state through sale of liquor was less than that of the expenditure towards the treatment of people who suffer alcohol related ailments.
Hence it was just and necessary for the state to discourage and to regulate consumption and sale of liquor, she submitted and prayed for a direction to declare mentioned holidays to liquor outlets and bars in the state.

The First Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Kumar Agrawal and Justice M Sathyanarayanan ordered issue of notice to Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise returnable by October 10.