Law for all!

: Guwahati, October 14, 2010

In our country, breaking the court rules and directives seems to be the only rule.  Supreme Court in 2007 banned smoking in public places with a punishment ranging from a fine of Rs. 500 to imprisonment if found guilty, but people seems to be least bothered about it.  Supreme Court passed a verdict on the selling of intoxicating materials of any sort near schools, colleges or any other educational institution. In it’s statement the court clearly stated that no such shops that sells cigarettes, paan, gutkha, liquor be set up within the 500 meter radius from the institution, but there are several Private Educational Institutions in Guwahati which are either just at the top floor of the same building where a Wine shop exists in ground floor. Nearby are few shops that sells paan, gutkha, cigarettes etc.

In the picture, you can clearly notice the existence of an wine shop just bellow of an Educational Institute, which is too familier to the citizen residing near Dispur area. This is just an example, while existence of the same in areas like Zoo Road, Maniram Dewan Road, GS road are too common to notice such combination of Educational Institute & Wine Shop. Mostly Private Educational Institutes are having these combination, which clearly violating Law in daylight.

The matter has got unnoticed by the concerned authorities looking after our education department. Even the so called social worker of the state or city and the guardians have not brought the issue up for discussion or to anyone’s notice.

Does Law is applicable for Government Institutions only! Or it is same for all!! If same then what about the Private Institutions which are having just at the top floor of the same commercial building, while wine shops exist at the ground floor!!!