M’lore: Administration Papers over Crack - Suspends Liquor Licence of Amnesia Pub
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Feb 27: Amnesia Pub located in Balmatta Road in the city, which hit national and international headlines after alleged Srirama Sene activists raided the pub and manhandled some lady customers recently, will not be able to serve liquor to its customers henceforth. The excise department has suspended the lenience granted to it till the conclusion of an inquiry ordered by the department.
After Hindu Yuva Sene first raked up the issue of the illegal functioning of the pub, a delegation deputed by National Commission for Women led by Nirmala Venkatesh had pointed out that the pub did not possess proper licence and that it failed to protect its women customers. After Venkatesh issued directions to the policemen and the district administration before leaving, to ensure that the women visiting various pubs and bars of the district are extended adequate protection, the district excise commissioner had served notices to 34 bars cum restaurants of the district.
In response, various bars and restaurants have confirmed that they continue to strictly adhere to the licence terms. The correctness of these replies are now being verified by the officers of the excise department.
After suspending the licence of Amnesia Pub, the excise department officials said that the licence will be cancelled if an inquiry ordered into it reveals that the pub had violated the terms of the licence issued to it. A representative of Amnesia Pub in the meantime, questioned the propriety of singling out their unit alone, pointing out that many of the bars and restaurants in the district hold CL-7 licences just like Amnesia, and almost all of them cater to other customers too, without restricting the liquor supply to guests staying in their hotels alone.
Excise department officials are reportedly aware of this fact. It has been noted that the dance floors that existed in most of the bars including Amnesia, have since been removed as they too are violations of the permits granted to them.
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