Punjab hotels to serve liquor near highways soon

The Punjab government gave its nod to a proposal to amend Section 26-A of the Punjab Excise Act (1914) to fix the location of liquor vends on national and state highways. The amendment, once passed, would lift restrictions on hotels, restaurants and clubs from serving liquor within 500 metres of highways.

By amending Section 26-A of Punjab Excise Act, 1914, all ambiguities for serving of liquor at hotels, restaurants and clubs would be removed by adding provisions whereby it is cleared that no retail vend would be opened within 500 metres of the national and state highways, but these restrictions shall not apply to hotels, restaurants and clubs situated on the said highways, said a government notification.

The Council of Ministers gave a go-ahead to the draft amendment bill in this regard, and which will be tabled during the current budget session for enactment. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired the meeting.