The bars will now be allowed to open an extra hour, till 1 a.m. Further, they can stay open till 2 am on 50 days in a calendar year. Earlier, they could remain open till 1 a.m. for only seven days in a year, mainly during the festive season and the New Year eve.
Five-star hotels can secure licenses for serving wine and liquor round the clock in all their restaurants, by paying extra license charges. At present, this facility is available in only one restaurant in the hotel.
Confirming the move, Excise and Finance Minister A.K. Walia said, "There was a lot of corruption in enforcing the timings. With this move, we have tried to remove bottlenecks, harassment of the owners and the inspector raj at the bars." A. K. Walia said Delhi is becoming an international destination and a global city.
"With the Commonwealth Games in 2010, a lot of foreigners are expected in the city.
The 24-hour bars in the five star hotels are expected to cater to this segment," Walia said.
Officials said the relaxed norms for bars and five-star hotels will help the government
earn additional revenue as each facility requires payment of an additional fee.
"The revenue estimate depends on how many hotels avail of the facility," said the official.
At present, there are 252 restaurants which have bar license and 47 hotels, some of which have multiple bars.
However, in another unfortunate development the Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that the Delhi men cannot hold their drinks and has sought a ban on women to be allowed as bartenders.
It has told the Supreme Court that the attitude and behaviour of men is not conducive to allowing women to tend bars in the city’s pubs. The city government took this line of argument while seeking restoration of Section 30 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, which had imposed a ban on employment of women in bars and pubs. The provision was struck down as unconstitutional by the Delhi High Court on January 12, 2006.
‘‘Men often make advances towards women under influence of liquor leading to offensive behaviour which is an affront to the dignity of women,’’ the government’s affidavit said.
The HC had quashed Section 30, which had also restricted employment of men below 25 years of age in bars. While allowing women bartenders, the HC had observed that ‘‘female touch lends grace and elegance to the hospitality industry’’.
Thus continues the story of The Indian Paradox …..
Subhash Arora |
