Summary:
Kochi, Nov 25 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Thursday said it was only concerned with ensuring that the next generation does not have to stand in the long queues outside liquor outlets and has neither permitted nor restricted the government in any manner with regard to the proposal to increase the number of such shops in the state.
"We have to save the next generation.
I do not want them to stand in queues like this," Justice Devan Ramachandran said and added that is why he was repeatedly telling the government to have a walk-in facility at liquor shops.
"We cannot have people standing in long queues outside liquor shops and creating a ruckus there, making it impossible for people -- especially women and children -- to pass by such places," the court said.
The court also disposed of two revision petitions, one among them by senior Congress leader and former Kerala Assembly Speaker V M Sudheeran, opposing the enhancement of liquor outlets in the state as suggested by the Excise Commissionerate and Beverages Corporation (BEVCO).
The two petitions had contended that the high court"s 2017 judgement, directing the state government and BEVCO to ensure no nuisance is caused to businesses and residents of an area outside liquor shops, was being interpreted in a different manner to increase the number of such outlets in the state.