No more liquor licence in Meghalaya as govt stops issuance

The Meghalaya government has temporarily halted the issuance of licences for opening liquor retail shops in Shillong. Disclosing this on Tuesday, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla said the government wants to monitor and study the liquor business. There are several wine shops, located close to educational institutions and places of worship.

“We want to see where these IMFL retail shops are located. We may have to increase their number,” he said. Stating that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the local headman is the most important prerequisite for opening a liquor outlet, Shylla said licences are issued only after an applicant has obtained an NOC. He said the government is required to follow procedures.

The minister assured that the government will work out a mechanism to ensure that no new wine shop comes up in close proximity of educational institutions and places of worship.