Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)
Bengaluru, Jun 9: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday June 8 defended his government’s move to denotify some parts of national highways passing through urban local bodies in the state. He said the move was aimed at saving jobs of hundreds of people who are dependent on liquor shops.
Siddaramaiah denied accusation by the BJP members Pranesh and M B Bhanuprakash that the government is planning to circumvent the Supreme Court order to close down liquor shops along national highways. “We have already issued notices to owners of liquor shops along national highways and asked them to shut the shops by June 30 as per the Supreme Court order,” he said.
“We do not have any intention to circumvent the Supreme Court order. These stretches on national highways passing through urban areas are maintained by the respective urban local bodies. Hence, the government has decided to recommend to the Centre to denotify these stretches and declare them as local roads. Through this measure, jobs of a lot of people will be saved,” he stated.
He also said that the government has already filed a review petition in this regard.
Siddaramaiah revealed that about 6,015 liquor shops are located along 858 kilometres of national and state highways in the state.
Ugrappa objects
V S Ugrappa from Congress opined that the government’s move can amount to defying the Constitution of India. “The Constitution says that any order given by the Supreme Court is the law of the land. So, the government should think twice before recommending to the Centre to denotify certain stretches of national highways. The government will have a bitter experience if it goes ahead with its decision,” he said.
The chief minister replied to him that the move is not aimed at circumventing the Supreme Court order.
BJP walks out
“Saving liquor shops will lead to harassment of women, especially in rural areas. Many of the states have already imposed prohibition. Karnataka government should follow suit,” some BJP members demanded.
“It is not feasible to impose prohibition. Though the Gujarat government imposed prohibition long back, liquor is still being sold illegally in many places in that state. Prohibition will not only lead to illegal sale of liquor but also causes revenue loss to the government. But, the government is not encouraging people to consume liquor,” Siddaramaiah said in reply to BJP members. .
Subsequently the BJP members staged a walkout as they were not satisfied with the chief minister’s reply.