Tussle Over Haryana Excise Policy | 07 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stern warning to the Haryana government regarding the sale of liquor over midnight in bars and pubs located in Gurugram and Faridabad.  

• However, the court refrained from issuing any formal directions to the state on this matter. 

Key Points 

• The issue arose after the Haryana Excise Policy 2024-25, introduced in June, removed provisions from the previous policy that allowed bars and pubs to operate throughout the night upon payment of an additional fee.  
• Under the revised policy, all bars and pubs across Haryana are required to close by midnight, except in Gurugram and Faridabad, where the older rules continue to apply.          
• Following the promulgation of the new policy, bar and pub owners in Panchkula filed a petition in the high court, seeking parity with their counterparts in Gurugram and Faridabad.  
  • However, a bench of Justices dismissed their plea, ruling that the excise policy applies different criteria to different districts, and the petitioners cannot demand uniformity. 
• The court underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity in framing excise policies.  
  • It noted that allowing all-night liquor sales could lead to social decay and undermine the cultural values of Indian society.  
• The bench stressed that responsible drinking is still a distant goal in the country, and policymakers must consider the broader social implications of their decisions.