JK High Court issues notice to govt over liquor ban

The Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the government over a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking blanket ban on sale of alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir. .
Last week the Public Interest Litigation(PIL), filed by socio-religious organization Karwan-i-Islami’s patron Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami, had alleged that the sale and consumption of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir has affected the health of the people and it is one of reasons responsible for social evils and growing crime rate.
Liquor consumption and sale is not prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir Valley, particularly in Srinagar city, liquor shops are located at tourist spots of Boulevard on the banks of Dal Lake.
Hami through his counsel Mudasir Naqashbandhi submitted that Article 38 of constitution of India imposes an obligation on the State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of people. He argued it cannot be achieved without good public health and thus it is the duty and obligation of the government to take necessary steps to curb liquor consumption which has far-reaching ill effects.
“As per the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir which came into force on January 26, 1957, it has been provided under section 24 of the constitution that it is “Duty of the state to improve public health and the State shall make every effort to safeguard and promote the health of the people and thus this section further imposes obligation to state of Jammu and Kashmir to curb sale and consumption of liquor, which is responsible for deterioration of public health,” the PIL reads.
The court asked the state government to file status report about steps taken regarding location of liquor shops near educational institutions, hospitals, places of worship, national and state highways and on what time the liquor shops should be opened and closed. The case is listed on October 6.