(FE)
A day after the BJP government in Uttarakhand decided to reclassify state highways as other district roads, opposition Congress today accused it of playing into the hands of the liquor mafia. Congress alleged the decision would directly benefit the liquor mafia by saving their businesses from the impact of the recent Supreme Court order closing liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways.
“It is obviously a decision to help the liquor mafia whose businesses would have suffered because of the apex court’s order putting a ban on liquor shops near highways. Conversion of state highways into district roads will help the liquor lobby thrive. “It is shocking to see how a party which used to speak in favour of a total ban on liquor sale and consumption is openly playing into the hands of the liquor lobby,” Pradesh Congress chief spokesman Mathuradutt Joshi said.
