The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a batch of petitions seeking modification of the December 2016 order banning liquor shops within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country.
A bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and SK Kaul assured on Tuesday that it will ensure that the matters are heard.
Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi told the court that the apex court judgement will come into effect from April 1 and this leads to a situation where urgent hearing is needed.
On Tuesday, Kerala, Punjab and Telangana have approached the top court seeking modification of the order. Tamil Nadu also had approached the apex court to extend the time for relocation of retail liquor shops along the highways.
In an order dated December 15 2016, the apex court had ordered a ban on all liquor shops along national as well as state highways across the country and said that licences of the existing shops will not be renewed after March 31, 2017.
