ILLICIT HUBS Restaurants becoming densfor illegal liquor consumption
| Date :27-May-2024 |
By Dheeraj Fartode
IF ONE were to observe the suddenly increasing number of restaurants in and around Nagpur, they might think that the food culture is growing in the city. However, uponentering these restaurants, they would understand that it is not a food culture but rather a drinking culture,with young customers frequenting for drinking sessions despite the restaurants lacking a valid permit for liquor consumption. While the Bombay Prohibition Act strictly prohibits the consumption of liquor for those below 21 years old,Nagpur has many restaurants allowing liquor consumption for all age groups without a valid permit. One can observe restaurants liningup along important roads, with young crowds enjoying drinks every day.
These restaurant soperate solely on the basis of customers coming in for drinks until 2 am. The restaurants on Amravati Road,Wardha Road, Kamptee Road, Umred Road, and both sides of the outer ring road are notorious for these illegal operations. Shockingly, even in the heart of the city, restaurants near Bajaj Nagar Square have become dens for illegal liquor consumption. These restaurants have illegally encroaching upon the land of Panjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth and their bussiness is seemingly flourishing. The prices of food items are similar to those in beer bars. If they were to cease liquor consumption, the flow of customers would likely decrease.
What law says
Maharashtra has a permit system under the Bombay Prohibition Act (1949), requiring permits for purchasing and consuming alcohol.According to this Act, a person needs permits to purchase and consume both foreign and country liquor. The Act stipulates that persons aged 21 to 24 are allowed to consume only mild beer, while those above 25 can consume hard liquor, including whisky. Sellers must confirm the buyer’s age before sale. Restaurants are authorised by the Excise Department to issue a day’s permit for most types of alcohol for Rs 5. For country liquor, the fee is Rs 2. With a permit, one person can purchase up to 12 bottles at a time.
For grand events where alcohol will be served, a license is required. However, this requirement is often breached despite its existence in the statute books. The Act empowers the police to arrest individuals for purchasing, consuming, or serving alcohol without a permit, with punishments ranging from three months to five years in prison. Transporting liquor without a permit is punishable with a fine of 50,000 rupees and five years in prison. If a person is found consuming liquor at a restaurant without a liquor permit, they could be booked under Section 84 of the Act, and the restaurant owner could be booked under Section 68.
130 restaurants found serving liquor without valid permits
AROUND 130 restaurants were found serving liquorto customers without a valid permit from April 2023 to March 2024, according to statistics from the Excise Department. This infomration sheds light on a major breach of regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcohol in the city. An official from the Excise Department stated that the rules are strict and strict action would be initiated against restaurants serving liquor without a license.