File Photo
Nagpur: The Supreme Court’s order to shut all the liquor vends along 500 metres of national and state highways was claimed to followed in letter and spirit by the Maharashtra government, but it does not appear so! On March 31, when the anxious officials rushed to seal all the wine shops, permit rooms and bars falling under prohibitory area, it was also made clear that no advertisement promoting alcoholic drinks would be entertained and any such activity would be dubbed as illegal and in violation of the apex court’s order.
Now picture this – As one goes through the busy state highway around Kamptee military area, 16 kms off Nagpur, which also happens to fall along the state highway, one may notice hordes of beer bottles adorned around the wired fencing of military campus. No, this is not done by any anti-social elements but by the military authorities themselves. A glimpse of this fencing would bring anyone under an impression that it is promotion of beer brand.
Now the question arises – Is Military above the supreme court’s order and whether it can act contrary to civilian law?
Gold Rate
24 April 2025
While the liquor vend owners are facing harsh times badly affecting their livelihood, the military campus appears to flaunting the beer bottles all along its wired fencing as if teasing the SC order.
The stretch of Military campus in question is near Sai Mandir there. This also includes the security wall of military canteen where the beer bottles are decoratively paired in large numbers to tangle it in wired fencing.
While many are claiming that this could have been done for security purpose, most of the onlookers are baffled at this act of violation. The commuters can be forgiven if they are tempted to drink while travelling along this stretch of highway. Will it not defeat the purpose then?
Many in the area believe that it is like marketing of this beer brand. The military authorities should take a note of this and act accordingly.
