Finish Drinking in Bars by 11.30 pm, Including Star Hotels: Acharya
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 14: "Finish drinking in bars and restaurants by 11.30 pm and go to bed. This rule cannot be relaxed and the timing stretched till 2 am even for five star hotels,” is the stern message from Karnataka’s Home Minister Dr V S Acharya.
Dr Acharya’s cabinet colleague and Excise Minister M P Renukacharya has been making announcements and statements regarding his plans to extend the timings for bars and restaurants in all five star hotels in Bangalore and other parts of the state from the present 11.30 pm till 2 am in order to help tourists to relax with their drinks till the week hours.
In fact, Renukacharya had indicated that extending the timings in bars and restaurants in star hotels from 11.30 pm till 2 am was the first step. If everything goes okay, the closing timings of all bars and restaurants to serve liquor will be extended in due course. However, he had put in a caveat by pointing out that the proposal would come through only after obtaining the green signal from the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
Meanwhile, even before Dr Acharya’s public reaction, Bangalore city police commissioner Shakar Bidari had declared that he would allow the extension of the timings only if the government gave the go ahead. He had pointed out that more than the excise department, it was the home department or the police which had to clear the proposal first as it would have to deal with any law and order problems arising out of the move.
Now, Dr Acharya has shot down the Excise Department’s proposal and outrightly rejected moves to extend the timings of bars and restaurants from the present 11.30 pm to 2 am.
The Home Minister, who enjoys the full confidence of the chief minister, said there was no proposal before the Government or his ministry on extending the timing of bars and restaurants across the State from the present 11.30 pm.
Currently, liquor can be served till 11 pm and all bars and restaurants are required to close after 11.30 pm.
Keeping in view of the law and order in cities, the Home Ministry has decided against extending the present timings, Dr Acharya said adding: "I have discussed the issue with the chief minister and he is also not in favour of the relaxation.”
A few days ago, Renukacharya mooted the idea of extending timings till 2 am following a demand from tourists and star hotels located in Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore and other cities.
As a large number of business delegations and tourists visit cities of the State and stay in star hotels, the extended time would fetch more revenue to the department also, Renukacharya argued.
Dr Acharya said the decision to open of bars and restaurants till 11.30 pm was taken after the serial blasts in Bangalore on July 8, 2008. This has helped in reducing the crime rate in the City and other parts of the State during the night, he said.
The minister felt there was no substance in any proposal on extending the timings and asserted that the Excise Department has not discussed the proposal with him or the department officials.