'Will act on SC ban on liquor in letter and in spirit', says Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy claimed that the Union Territory would adhere to the Supreme court ban on liquor shops on State and National Highways 'in letter and in spirit.'

"We have not yet received the copy of the Apex Court`s ruling. Once we get it we will chalk out the action plan after taking a decision at the cabinet level to adhere to the ban," he told reporters here on the sidelines of the 20th annual national book festival.

Narayanasamy said that there were reports of road accidents, including fatal mishaps, due to drunken driving in the Union Territory.

"We welcome the Supreme Court`s ban and we will act upon it in letter and spirit`, he said.

Earlier inaugurating the 10 day book exhibition, he urged the youth to develop the habit of reading books which would stand them in good stead.

He said that the exhibition was making available books on various subjects, including spirituality.The Supreme Court had ordered a ban on all liquor shops Thursday on national as well as state highways across the country and made it clear that licenses of existing shops would not be renewed after March 31 2017.It had also directed that all signages indicating presence of liquor vends will be prohibited on national and state highways.