The Uttarakhand HC has given the state govt 6 months to formulate a policy to implement provisions of the Excise Act which provide for prohibition of alcohol in the state.
A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice (CJ) Ramesh Ranganathan & Justice Alok Kumar Verma directed the state govt on Thursday to take a policy decision for gradual prohibition of alcohol, petitioner DK Joshi, an advocate said.
The HC has given 6 months to the state govt, he said.
Besides asking the state govt to ensure compliance of section 37 A of the Excise Act which provides for prohibition, the court also ordered strict compliance of the law prohibiting sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years of age.
The order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Joshi, an advocate & a resident of Garuda in Bageshwar district.
