Dehradun. DM Savin Bansal and Harichand Semwal have come face to face over a liquor contract suspended on charges of running an open bar on Rajpur Road. DM Savin Bansal ordered the suspension of the liquor shop’s license for 15 days, while Excise Commissioner Harichand Semwal issued orders to open the liquor shop by giving a stay on the suspension.
The DM has refused to open the liquor shop. The DM has sent a letter to the Excise Commissioner asking him to explain the shortcomings in his order. On what basis was the suspension order cancelled? It is worth noting that the district administration is constantly receiving complaints ranging from overrating to running open bars outside liquor shops. In the public hearing, local women and elders living in Rajpur Road Bahal Chowk had complained. It was told that liquor is being served openly in the liquor shop located in Opal Lodge Building. It is difficult for women and girls to get out of here. DM got the SDM Sadar to investigate. It was found that a bar is being run illegally in the basement of Opal Lodge Building. Apart from liquor sale in The Liquor Hub (licensed shop of foreign liquor), liquor was being served at many places nearby.
DM said that the liquor shop has been suspended for 15 days. There was anger among the local people due to the stay order on the order. Those people lodged objection, so the shop has been banned from opening during the suspension period.
Illegal shops and kiosks are being set up and items related to liquor consumption are being sold. Excessive amount of liquor bottles and cups and glasses used for consumption were also found in the basement. On this, a challan of five lakhs was taken and the license of the liquor shop was suspended for 15 days. The dispute started from here. The Excise Commissioner gave a stay order against the DM’s order and ordered the shop to be opened.
On getting information about the Excise Commissioner giving a stay order on the liquor shop’s suspension order, the people of the locality protested to the DM. On this, the DM refused to open the shop in the context of the Excise Commissioner’s stay order. He told the Excise Commissioner that whatever allegations have been made against the shop, they have been confirmed in the joint investigation. The DM asked the Excise Commissioner why a stay order was given on the shop’s suspension? Which rule or section has been used in giving the stay? Actually, the Excise Commissioner gave a stay order on the suspension, but did not give any reason behind it.
