Post-holy city tag: Survey of liquor, meat shops begins in Amritsar

Following the Punjab Government’s decision to ban the sale of liquor, tobacco and meat in Amritsar’s walled city after granting it holy city status, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation has begun groundwork to enforce the new rules. A series of meetings chaired by the Deputy Commissioner and the Municipal Commissioner have been held to finalise the implementation plan. As part of this exercise, the MC has been directed to conduct a detailed survey to determine the exact number and locations of liquor, tobacco and meat sellers operating within the walled city.

MC Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill has assigned Joint Commissioner Jai Inder Singh to supervise the survey. Secretary Sushant Bhatia, Estate Officer Dharminderjit Singh, Superintendent Lovleen Sharma and veterinary Dr Darshan Kashyap have been appointed as team leaders to carry out the ground assessment.

The teams have been mapping all outlets selling cigarettes, tobacco products and meat within the 12 historic gates. Several locations reportedly sell tobacco and meat, and at many places people consume liquor inside parked vehicles. Such activities are also noted in certain hotels and roadside eateries. Some vendors sell meat only during evening hours.

At present, no liquor vends or hotels are permitted to serve alcohol inside the walled city. As part of the survey, teams are also checking whether any hotel has been issued permission to serve liquor in violation of norms. Four survey teams, led by senior officers, are covering the entire walled city to identify all sellers of cigarettes, liquor and tobacco products. The findings will be compiled and submitted to the district administration.

According to initial information, around 100 shops and vends have been identified so far, with a similar number expected during the evening survey. Some liquor vends on the outer ring road are also reportedly operating from properties owned by the municipal corporation.