Order on outside liquor inside clubs stayed

          THE Madras High Court on Friday stayed the operation of a circular dated March 23, 2010 of the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise prohibiting consumption of liquor purchased outside in any club premises.
        Justice N Paul Vasantha tion for four weeks, while passing interim orders on a writ petition from K Manoharan of Saidapet, a member of Thyagaraya Nagar Social Club.
      According to the petitioner, it was the practice of the club members to bring liquor purchased from outside and consume it on the club premises. The club charged a corkage fee for this. How ever, the March 23 circular prohibited bringing inside the club premises liquor purchased from outside outlets.
The petitioner contended that the circular violated Article 14 of the Constitution as star hotels were excluded from its applicability. 
      There would not be any loss to the State exchequer as the members bought liquor only from Tasmac shops outside the premises, the petitioner pointed out. 

SOURCE: Expressbuzz