[1]There’s good news for those who want to party hard into the night. This Christmas and New Year, the state is going to allow city bars to stay open, and serve liquor to customers, till 5 am in the morning.
The state’s home department has issued a circular (a copy of which is with this newspaper) giving city bars permission to operate till 5 am, not just 1.30 am, on December 24, 25 and 31. Furthermore, wine shops will also be allowed to stay open till 1 am, instead of the usual 11 pm. However, country liquor joints have to down shutters after 1 am. “The idea behind relaxing the closure time is also to ensure that liquor is available to the public through registered establishments that sell duty paid liquor, adding to the state government revenue. It also ensures that bootleggers and black marketers don’t sell illegal/spurious liquor to people after these establishments are closed,” a senior excise official said.
This relaxation, however, is subjected to the law and order situation on those days. The circular has the provision that the permissions given to the pubs and wine shops can be revoked at the last moment, if required, by the collector.
The police is gearing up to control the large crowds expected at public places to celebrate New Year. “Policemen will be posted at all prominent places like the Gateway of India, Juhu beach, etc., where people usually visit to usher in the New Year,” said Manohar Dalvi, police spokesperson. . We will ensure that there is no adverse law and order situation on these days,” said Manohar Dalvi, police spokesperson.
Links:
[1] http://103.241.136.51/baar0jpg-213