As many as 400 liquor shops, situated near national highways and state highways face closure following Supreme Court ruling which has banned sale of liquor within 500 meters from highways. Other states already implemented the same, in Karnataka the excise licence to most of the liquor shops along highways were issued prior to December 15 last year and they will remain operational till June 30.
According to Excise Department Officials as many as 205 CL2 (retail shops with licensees for vending liquor but not serving liquor on the premises), nine establishments CL4 (Clubs) licenses including four in Belagavi North zone, a star hotel having CL 6A (Star Hotels) license, 47 establishments with CL7 license (Lodging Houses), 99 establishments having CL9 license (Bar & Restaurant) and 17 Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) LIQUOR SHOPS FUNCTIONING IN 500 METRE DISTANCE.
A total of 650 authorized bars are having licence from excise department in Belagavi District.
According to sources the shops and Bars from Bachi Raichur Highway (Near Shankam) towards Ashok Circle, Sangolli Rayanna Circle, Chenamma Circle and Club road and ahead which are on the Bachi Raichur Highway could be affected with this ban.
Bars after Fish Market then over bridge, RPD, Khanapur Road, Peeranwadi, uipto Khanapur will also be affected as they are on the NH 4A.
The above are just based one the earlier surveys.
While the state government is worried about loosing heavy revenue due to closure of these alcohol shops, the owners too are also not sure that they will be getting new space at 500 meters away from highways.
A few bar owners have already got alternate sites ready for them while a few are still unable to find a new site which has a lot paper work and permission issues.
If the licence holder has shifted his bar 500 meters away from highway before June 30, his licence will be renewed and if he didn’t, his licence will be canceled according to sources.