Liquor ban along highways: UP govt feels the heat; incurs loss of Rs 5,000 cr

Lucknow: Ever since the Supreme Court banned liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways, the Uttar Pradesh government has incurred incurs loss of about Rs 5,000 crore.

"We have incurred a loss of about Rs 5,000 crore in 2016-17 fiscal ending March 31. Out of the target of realising Rs 19,000 crore, the excise department could generate Rs 14,000 crore following the apex court order order," UP Excise Minister Jai Pratap Singh told PTI.

The top court in its December 15, 2016 order had banned the liquor shops within 500 metres on the either side of the national and state highways.

The top court had exempted Sikkim and Meghalaya from the ban order altogether.

However, the top court later modified its order, reducing the distance to 220 metres in areas having a population of up to 20,000.