While neighbouring Haryana government has allowed certain relaxations to the bars and hotels to wriggle out of the Supreme Court’s 500-meter ban on highways, the administration has ruled out any such possibility in the UT.
“We don’t intend to change any rule whether any state has done that or not, and we are very clear about it,” UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal who is also the excise and taxation secretary told Hindustan Times.
A few days ago, the Haryana government had said that for measurement purposes the actual distance of the bar will matter and not the boundary or entry of the hotel or outlet. However, Agarwal said that what the administration interprets from the order is that the Supreme Court meant aerial distance. “We won’t be measuring with tapes etc, which may leave room for doubt in anyone’s mind,” he added.
The worst-hit businesses in the city have been those located on the Madhya Marg in Sector 26 and on the national highway passing through Sectors 35 and 43.
Five-star hotels JW Marriot and Taj have also been hit. The order was issued on December 15 last year and last month the court had also clarified its verdict.
{{/usCountry}}Five-star hotels JW Marriot and Taj have also been hit. The order was issued on December 15 last year and last month the court had also clarified its verdict.
{{/usCountry}}The withdrawal of permission to Chandigarh press club from selling liquor comes in view of this interpretation. Earlier, the excise department officers had measured the distance and found it to be over 500 meters and therefore given it permit to sell liquor.
SOME BUSINESSES AFFECTED
Sector 35/43
Maya Hotel; Peddlers (also in Sector 26); Pashtun; Western Court; JW Marriot; The Regent
Madhya Marg
The Taj in Sector-17; The President, Swagat; S loungel; F Bar; Score; Mainland China; The Brew Estate (also in Sector 35); The Great Bear; BoomBox; Purple Frog; 25th Hour