Shillong, Aug 30: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Excise Department to examine the Pommura Dorbar Shnong if it has granted a no objection certificate (NOC) for the establishment of wine stores in the village.
Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Arbiangkam Kharsohmat, a resident of Mawryngkneng, the division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said if the dorbar admits that a NOC was granted, a government officer not below the rank of Secretary will examine the matter and take a decision in four weeks.
The court said a decision has to be taken whether to confirm the decision of the Dorbar Shnong or to affirm it with modifications as he deems fit and proper.
Based on a news report, the petitioner in the PIL said the Pommura Dorbar Shnong has proposed to grant a NOC for the establishment of four to five wine stores in the village, which is adjoining the national highway.
He argued that opening liquor shops would be detrimental to the health of the locals and make the area vulnerable to accidents.
Senior counsel for the petitioner told the court that liquor shops were proposed to be set up along the national highways.
The court cited two Supreme Court judgements of 2016, which ordered the closure of liquor shops within 500 meters of National and State Highways across India and the 2017 exemption granted to Meghalaya and Sikkim.
“It is a policy matter and the government is the best judge of its policy. It should examine the details of the application before issuing a certificate,” the court said.
