Highway liquor ban - Amul comes up with a brilliant ad to 'help' liquor shop owners

New Delhi: After Supreme Court's refusal to allow liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways to sell liquor, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) has now come up with a unique solution to help thousands of highway liquor shop owners who are likely to be affected by it.

The Managing Director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) has now proposed converting nearly 16,000 liquor vends into Amul milk bars and contribute to building a healthy nation. 

RS Sodhi, Amul MD, took to micro-blogging website Twitter to push forward his suggestion, in the light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against liquor shops, hotels and pubs along national and state highways.

“We invite all these 16000 liquor shops/ bars to open @Amul milk bar for gainful employment and healthy nation building. R S Sodhi,” Sodhi tweeted.

pic.twitter.com/ijmwG4kS8S — R S Sodhi (@Rssamul) April 4, 2017

The apex court ban is likely to affect one million jobs, according to NITI Aayog chief Amitabh Kant.

The unique proposal from the Amul MD came days after the apex court refused to allow liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways to sell liquor, in view of road accidents due to drunk driving. 

In the case of areas where the population is below 20,000, the limit was reduced to 220 metres. 

The apex court order came into effect on April 1. 

The top court completely relaxed its order for two states, Sikkim and Meghalaya, owing to topographical constraints.

In a move to avoid the apex court’s ruling, the Rajasthan Public Works Department (PWD) denotified state highways to “urban roads” on Tuesday, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said the government is inviting suggestions to explore a “middle path” to help hoteliers and restaurant owners affected by the ruling.