?SC likely to announce modification order on sale of liquor within 500 meters of national and state highways
?SC likely to announce modification order on sale of liquor within 500 meters of national and state highways

The Supreme Court said it is likely to announce the modification order in the second week of July on the plea by hotels and clubs seeking changes in its order banning sale of liquor within 500 meters of national and state highways.

Hoteliers and club owners' filed, review petitions in the top court seeking modifications and exemption to the March 31 order, which has forced several establishments across the country to stop serving alcohol to guests.

The court heard the review petitions from Chennai-based hotels and club associations. States like Arunachal Pradesh had also petitioned the apex court seeking exemptions.

The court had exempted Sikkim and Meghalaya from the ban in view of their topography and terrain. Senior counsel Arvind P Datar is arguing the case for South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA).

In a statement, SIHRA said, "Our request is not to dilute the judgment of the SC banning liquor sale on the highways at all. This application is to draw attention to the plight of 93 hotels in Tamil Nadu which have invested Rs 6,133 crore and employ about 9,450 people directly and 94,500 indirectly to promote tourism…"

It added, "Due to flaws in the system followed by state governments in notifying highways, the SC's judgment to ban liquor has brought down with it certain unintended victims."

 
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