Amritsar: The Punjab government has begun relocating temporary stalls and vendors selling alcohol, meat, eggs, tobacco, and other non-vegetarian items from the walled city of Amritsar, recently declared a holy city.
Officials of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation said a detailed survey identified around 150 temporary shops and stalls within the walled city, including meat shops, pan-beedi kiosks, and vendors selling boiled eggs.
These are mainly located near Shastri Market, the old Telephone Exchange, and areas like Katra Jamal Singh. Vendors were also found near Hathi Gate, Lohgarh Gate, Hakiman Gate, Bhagtanwala Gate, Guruwali Gate, Guru Bazaar, Lahori Gate, Namak Mandi, and surrounding areas.
Surinder Singh, president of the Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association, said that while the excise department had not issued liquor licenses within the walled city, some illegal sale of alcohol was taking place. He added that the government’s decision would not affect around 650 hotels and guest houses near the Golden Temple, as they already do not serve alcohol or non-vegetarian food to pilgrims.
However, wholesale fish trader Yuvaraj Singh expressed concern over the move. He said around 60,000 people are connected to the fish trade, supplying fish across Punjab and neighbouring states, generating crores in revenue.
Singh warned that relocating the market without proper resettlement could lead to temporary unemployment for many traders and appealed to the state government to ensure appropriate arrangements before moving them.
The Aam Aadmi Party-led government had recently declared parts of Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib as holy cities. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced on December 21 through a video message that the sale of meat, fish, alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants would be prohibited in these areas.
