Prayagraj. The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking framing of a policy to allow online sale and home delivery of liquor in Uttar Pradesh. Dismissing the PIL filed by High Court’s counsel Gopal Krishna Pandey, a division bench of Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Subhash Chandra Sharma said, “Considering the matter as state policy, we would like to allow online sale of liquor.” not inclined to.”
A PIL was filed seeking a direction to make necessary policy for home delivery of liquor.
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that some state governments have issued notification to allow online sale of liquor and thus home delivery will be done.
The lawyer also said that the Madras High Court has allowed online sale of liquor.
The Chief Standing Counsel representing the State Government opposed the petition and submitted that the prayer made is with reference to the policy decision and presently the Government is not inclined to allow online sale of liquor along with home delivery.
The sale of liquor online by some states was allowed at a time when COVID-19 was at its peak and this was to avoid overcrowding in shops. There is nothing on record to show overcrowding of shops in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the peak of Covid and its second phase is over.
Several reasons have been given in the PIL for allowing the sale, such as if liquor is sold online, the sales will also increase, which will also increase the revenue.
Besides, the maintenance cost of the shops would be less, the petitioner said.
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