Bengaluru: The State government, which wants to project Bengaluru as a truly global and safe City in the forthcoming Global Investors Meet (GIM), which is scheduled to be held between February 3 and 5 is likely to extend the 1 am deadline for the watering holes in the city through the week on a regular basis from the present extension on weekends only.
The 1 am deadline was extended for the pubs, bars and clubs on a trial basis in early 2014 for three months after much public pressure. It was extended thereafter and is now part of City’s social life for the last two years. “The government, which is aiming at more than Rs 5 lakh crore investments from the GIM, is keen on projecting the City as a global City to the foreign investors. Extended nightlife will also project Bengaluru as a safe City for big ticket investments,” said an official source from the Chief Minister’s office.
Though the background checks are done and security concerns have been addressed, the government is, however, yet to make the announcement on the extended nightlife official. “It is the government’s prerogative to make policy decisions. We are ready to implement the orders. Bengaluru is a safe City and we are committed to maintain law and order,” said Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh.
“There were initial apprehensions that extending the drinking hours would spur the crime rate in the city. On the contrary crime has come down considerably. Also, there are more people on the road because of the extended dining hours at night. Shortage of manpower in the City police is an issue of concern but a lot also depends on how to manage the resources,” said a senior police officer. Extended night life has come as a boon to restaurateurs and pub and bar owners, who are also open to the idea of having it on a regular basis.
“A healthy nightlife is a sign of a mature and grown up city. From the earlier hustle of taking the last orders at 10 to 10.30 pm from the guests, who may have arrived at 9.30 pm, the 1 am deadline has helped us all. Everybody is relaxed and there is no hurried or binge drinking any more. People now have more time to enjoy their evenings out,” said Ashish Kothare, head of the Bengaluru chapter of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI).
He added that with more and more Bengalureans working for global markets the trend of having weekends off no longer holds good for all. “Many people have their weekly offs during the week. It’s unfair to have nightlife extension only on the weekends,” Kothare said.
No boost in Govt revenue
In terms of revenue, the nightlife extension has not really doubled the fortunes of the government in the last two years. “There has been a marginal increase in the revenue, which cannot be strictly attributed to the extended drinking hours in Bengaluru during the weekends,” said an official source. In fact the Excise Department had fallen short in 2014-15 reaching their target of Rs 14,200 crore. This year (2015-16) as against the target of Rs 15,000 crore, the department has achieved a little over Rs 11,000 crore till December 2015.
Pub, bar owners serving alcohol to minors face 7-year jail
With a new section being added to the Juvenile Justice Bill, 2015, pub and bar owners who sell liquor to children and minors are liable to be jailed for seven years and fines of up to Rs 1 lakh. The strict clause has been added with the inclusion of Section 78 to the Juvenile Justice Bill, 2015.
The change, proposed by MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, was accepted by the government and included in the Bill. The previous Juvenile Justice Act of 2000 too had punitive provisions for those serving intoxicants to children, but violators got away easily as the punishment prescribed was less.
Mr Chandrasekhar has also pointed out that the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965 includes liquor in its definition of intoxicants and violators will not be able to get away easily.
Harish Bijoor
"It is big city and an IT hub and since there is trend in big cities to stay awake at night, the 1 am deadline will give us the big city feel. It would be a good move but, with the limited number of cops, the extension of their timings can be a problem with policing. The constables will be overworked and it could affect policing."
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
"It is a 24/7 city and hence such a move is needed. The later the deadline the better, as it makes the city livelier and ensures safety. Because Bengaluru is a 24/7 city there should be places which are accessible for the dwellers at late nights. Also, a city that never sleeps is a safer city. However we need to look at the law enforcement part."
T.V. Mohandas Pai
"It would indeed be good and work just like the other big cities. Most important is that it would ensure safety, with increased vehicular traffic on the road the safety would be ensured. It would be less stressful for people who can access food after working long hours. Corruption would also come down as police and excise department make a lot of money from pub owners and restaurant owners and with the increased deadlines this racket would also be contained as eateries and places would shut down on time. It is working for other cities and we are responsible citizens and it will for us too."
Prasad Bidapa
"It is a welcome move and would work well for the citizens just like any other big city."
