THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, January 25: The presence of a licensed private liquor shop within the prohibited 100-yard radius of an educational institution in Daltonganj has raised concerns over a possible violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
The liquor shop is located very close to Brahmin High School in Daltonganj, prompting questions during a recent DAWN (Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation) campaign against drugs and opioids.
Issue Raised During DAWN Campaign
During the campaign, a para-legal volunteer flagged the issue of the liquor shop operating within 100 yards of the school premises.
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Confirming this, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Secretary Rakesh Ranjan said, “It is a violation of the provisions of COTPA. We will take up this issue with the excise officials.”
What the Law Says
COTPA, enacted in 2003, prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 yards of an educational institution under Section 6(b). While the Act specifically covers tobacco products, the proximity of a liquor shop to a school has raised wider regulatory and public health concerns.
Excise Department’s Response
Excise officials said the liquor shop is nearly a decade old and has no reported history of untoward incidents.
An excise official said the liquor vendor is looking for an alternative location away from the school, adding that the issue is not new.
“This is a private licensed liquor shop and a composite outlet selling both desi and foreign liquor. There has been no report of any ugly incident linked to the shop,” the official said.
High-Revenue Liquor Shop
The excise department informed that the shop is a high-revenue outlet, generating nearly ₹3 crore in liquor revenue.
The matter is expected to be taken up by the DLSA with the excise department for further review and necessary action.
