Liquor banned in three Uttarakhand districts

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to impose a blanket ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in three districts of the state.
●    The ruling came in response to a writ petition filed by Udit Narayan Tiwari, seeking a ban on a bar serving liquor in Haridwar, stating that it violated the government order passed in February 2002.
●    The order had prohibited the sale and consumption of liquor in Haridwar given its religious prominence.
●    The PIL was heard by a division bench comprising Justices Rajeev Sharma and Alok Singh who ordered a complete ban on liquor in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts, effective from next fiscal year.
●    These districts are home to the highly religious Char Dham temples. While Kedarnath and Badrinath are located in Rudraprayag and Chamoli respectively, Gangotri and Yamunotri both are located in Uttarkashi.
●    The bench stated that though the sale of liquor is already prohibited in the area, a complete ban is essential, especially considering the growing tendency of drinking among youngsters. 
●    Along with this, the bench of justices also directed the state government to ban public drinking and keep a check on ‘large drunken gatherings’.