RUBUL KANTI ROY Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The abovenoted bunch of petitions involves similar point, namely, the grievance is about the issue of licences for retail liquor shops, the opening of new liquor shops, as well as some shops which have already been opened - the grievance has been raised in respect thereof as well.

(2.) We have heard Shri SC Biswas, Shri KP Pathak and Shri N. Choudhury, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners and Shri BC Das, learned counsel appearing for the State.

(3.) It has been vehemently urged on behalf of the [petitioners that licences for liquor shops are being indiscriminately issued, much more in number as may actually be required, as a result; of which it is polluting the atmosphere and is; also not conducive to the public interest as it lures more and more persons including the youth to the drinking habit, which is bad for their health and the atmosphere in the society in general. It is further submitted that white granting licences, the State Government has kept in mind only its interest about raising its revenues, which cannot be an appropriate consideration for grant of licence for vend of liquor through shops. It is submitted that other ways and means should be adopted by the State Government to raise its revenue rather than to resort to issuance of liquor shop licences.