Kashmir Wire Service
Srinagar
Bowing to the public pressure, the opening of a liquor shop at Srinagar International airport has been dropped as Airport Authority of India (AAI) as well as Jammu and Kashmir Excise department announced that the liquor shop would not be set up at the airport, it is officially learnt.
The AAI has decided to cancel the tender process of duty paid liquor shop at Srinagar international airport with immediate effect in view of protests lodged by common people soon after it became known that AAI intends to set up the liquor shop at the airport.
In a statement, the AAI today said “It is observed through media /social media that a section of society is against having duty paid liquor shop at Srinagar international airport and honoring local sentiments AAI has decided to cancel the tender process of duty paid liquor shop with immediate effort”.
“It is hoped that with this communication all controversies arising out will be placed at rest”, it added.
However, it said AAI believes and works towards better facilities for its passengers and endeavors to cater for more and more passenger friendly good initiatives towards customer satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Excise department has made it clear that it has not granted license for opening of liquor shop at the airport.
In a communication addressed to the Director AAI, the excise department today said: “In continuation to this office letter No: EC/Exc/1294 dated 13-10-2017 where under you have been intimated that the J and K excise department shall not grant liquor license for opening of liquor shop at Srinagar international airport in violation to the provisions of J and K excise act, 1958 and liquor licenses and sale rules, 1984.
People across Kashmir valley lodged protest on social media against the idea of AAI while a group of people gathered at press enclave yesterday to express resentment against the proposal. Religious leaders, traders and MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid also protested against the move. (Kashmir Wire)
