Punjab find a way out of liquor ban for marriage places

The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department is all set to allow marriage palaces located within 500 meters of highways in Punjabto serve liquor.

Following a decision by the Supreme Court to ban sale of liquor along the highways, the Punjab Government had sought the opinion of the state’s Advocate General Atul Nanda whether the judgment was applicable to marriage palaces also.

“We have received the legal opinion. As per the AG, the marriage palaces are not within the scope of the SC ruling,” Gurtej Singh, Additional Commissioner of Excise and Taxation Department, has said. “Following his opinion, instructions in this regard will be issued by the department,” he said.

Notably, the apex court had banned liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways. This order was also applicable to bars, pubs and restaurants in the wake of road accidents owing to drunken driving.

Till there was clarity on the matter, marriage palaces were asked not to allow liquor in functions. Because of the SC order, 1,000 marriage palaces were found to be within 500 meters of highways.