‘Need to remove liquor vends near schools’

Councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) have pledged to root out liquor vends within 150 metre distance of schools and residential areas. Dhananjay Jha reports.

Councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) have pledged to root out liquor vends within 150 metre distance of schools and residential areas.

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The issue was discussed during a meeting attended by deputy commissioner PC Meena, Huda administrator Praveen Kumar, MCG commissioner Sudhir Rajpal and joint excise and taxation commissioner SP Sharma here on Friday.

The agenda of the meeting was to fix rent against the land allocated to vends and spots falling under 150-metre restricted area.

The councillors rued that a number of vends were located at a distance of 75-100 metres from schools in many localities.

The move gains significance as the excise commissioner owns discretionary powers to dilute the 150-metre rider and allow vends to be set up within 75 metres as well.

The municipal councillors fear that annual relocation of vends, starting from April 1, could result in vends being set up near schools.

Keeping in mind the 150 metre distance from schools, temples, hospitals etc, land for the vends is provided by the MCG and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) on a monthly basis.

However, the views of councillors could make it a tough job for the MCG while allocating land and fixing rent etc.

Councillors, who are not sure whether their suggestions would be taken into account, will file their reports latest by February 27 to MCG Commissioner Sudhir Rajpal.

“Our opinion is not being taken seriously by the commissioner. I am not in favour of liquor vends in residential areas and green belts,” said Nisha Singh, a councillor from ward number 30, who wrote a strong-worded letter to the government.

“Allocation of land and suggestions of councillors come under the MCG's domain. Since vends earn huge revenue, prime location should be given priority while allocating land,” said SP Sharma, joint excise and taxation commissioner.

Rishi Raj Rana, councillor from ward number 1, has also submitted his suggestion to shift liquor vends away from residential houses.

“People have serious complaints with the existing liquor vends. Such vends are a shelter for miscreants,” he added.