Cuttack: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court Thursday seeking relocation of all the liquor shops from the Millennium City to other places.
Social activist Surendra Panigrahi has filed the petition appealing the court to pass necessary directions in this regard. Panigrahi has made the state Chief Secretary, Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Excise Secretary, Director General of Police, excise commissioner and district Collector parties to the case.
The petitioner contended that law and order situation arises due to opening of liquor shops in the city. “In order to make the city crime-free and ensure safer life to the city-dwellers, I pray to the court to issue directives to immediately relocate the liquor shops from the city to an open area,” the petitioner said.
Justifying his demand, the petitioner stated that Cuttack has been accorded as a prime city in the state and is the birthplace of many noted personalities including Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and Biju Patnaik. It also houses Orissa High Court, Sishu Bhawan, SCB Medical College and Hospital, DGP’s office, Board of Revenue, Barabati Stadium, Indoor Stadium, Barabati Fort, Akashvaani, excise commissioner’s office and residential quarters of HC judges. Moreover, many educational institutions including National Law University of Orissa, Ravenshaw University and many college colleges are also situated in the city.
However, the city is dotted with liquor shops at many junctions. They remain open till late night resulting in anti-social activities. One such liquor shop is situated just 500 metres away from the residential quarters of the district Collector. Besides, many liquor shops have mushroomed near the residences of senior officials, the petitioner maintained.
The city is the ancient capital of the state and it bears testimony of rich cultural values of the state. In spite of this, permissions are being given for setting up of liquor shops and should be stopped, the petitioner said.
Moreover, the petitioner has written to the Chief Justice of Orissa HC, Collector and excise commissioner seeking relocation of the existing liquor shops from residential areas to open areas.
PNN
