KOZHIKODE: Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan on Monday said the State Government has taken necessary steps to get clarification in the Supreme Court verdict banning liquor outlets along national and state highways.
"The State Government has already started implementing the Supreme Court verdict. However, there exists some uncertainty as to whether the order applies to bar hotels and toddy outlets. The government has taken adequate steps to get a clarification in this regard," the minister told reporters here.
"The government has submitted a request before the Supreme Court seeking six months'
time to implement its directions," he said.
Regarding widespread protests against the shifting of liquor outlets to new spots, the minister said: "we have taken steps to ensure the cooperation of the public and convince them about the need to
shift the shops."
The Supreme Court had issued a directive to close down liquor outlets along the state and national highways with effect from April 1. The apex court had made it clear that liquor shops must be located at least 500 m away from state and national highways.