West Bengal tightens its liquor licensing rules by restricting the opening of new liquor shops near sensitive locations. According to reports, the state sets a prohibition for new outlets within a 1-kilometre radius of schools, hospitals, and religious places. The changes apply to future licensing decisions, meaning they do not automatically affect liquor shops that are already operating within the restricted area. Instead, existing licenses continue under the current framework, while the updated distance requirement will guide approvals for new licences going forward. The rule therefore impacts where new sales points can be located, aiming to reduce proximity to areas associated with education, healthcare, and worship. The reports indicate that the restriction is specifically tied to the licensing process rather than an immediate closure order for existing shops. The state’s updated guidelines thus create clearer geographic limits for prospective liquor businesses while leaving currently operating establishments in place for the time being.