KOCHI: State government should consider moving liquor retail outlets from the sides of the main road, the Kerala High Court said on Tuesday.
The system of liquor retail outlets near main roads with heavy vehicular traffic and presence of public should be avoided, a division bench comprising chief justice S Manikumar and justice Shaji P Chaly said.
A case registered suo motu by the court on the basis of a letter written by justice Devan Ramachandran highlighting the long queues in front of liquor retail outlets in violation of Covid-19 norms was considered by the court.
Last week, the court had expressed its anxiety about the presence of crowds without social-distancing norms in front of liquor outlets. Stating that the court is concerned and that it cannot ignore such incidents where crowding in violation of Covid-19 safety norms occur, the court had asked the government to respond.
During Tuesday’s hearing, state government submitted that it has taken action to lessen the crowding in front of liquor outlets. Government informed the court that the crowds in front of liquor outlets will lessen as bars have been permitted to reopen. A digital payment system has also been introduced for the sale of liquor, the court was told.
