Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 29: Balvinder Singh, a well-known RTI and social activist, has urged Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to include a provision in the upcoming Excise Policy 2025-26 that mandates liquor vends be located at least 300 meters away from religious and educational institutions.
Singh believes this measure is vital for preserving the sanctity of these spaces and protecting the rights and faith of the people.
Singh expressed concern over the absence of a similar provision in the J&K Excise Policy 2022-23.
While the policy did not specify a required distance, it allowed residents to file objections to liquor vends near sensitive areas, he said.
However, Singh pointed out that despite objections from locals, liquor shops continued to operate near places of worship and schools, without any action taken.
Drawing attention to the protests in Delhi, where the BJP pushed for the closure of wine shops near religious places and schools, Singh questioned why such steps were not being taken in Jammu.
In Delhi, the AAP Government was forced to shut down wine shops near these institutions within 48 hours following public protests.
In his appeal to CM Omar, Singh emphasized that including a 300-meter distance clause in the Excise Policy would not only protect the cultural fabric of the region but also prioritize public welfare over commercial interests.
He called on the Government to make the policy more people-centric by ensuring the sanctity of religious and educational spaces is maintained.
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