Tobacco products, liquor bottles to stick a warning against sale to minor

The Delhi government has issued a stern warning to hotels, clubs, and restaurants in the city regarding the violation of liquor service timings. The Excise Department has directed all licensed establishments to adhere to the stipulated operating hours, emphasizing that any breach of these rules could result in punitive action. This directive, aimed at ensuring compliance with the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, highlights the government's commitment to regulating the hospitality industry, which plays a significant role in the retail and tourism sectors in India.

In an official communication to excise license holders, including those under licenses L-15/L15F, L-16/L16F, L-17/L17F, L-18/L18F, L-19/L19F, L-28/L28F, and L-29/29F, the Delhi Excise Department reminded them of Rule 55(1) of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010. This rule outlines the operational hours and conditions for the sale of liquor, mandating that all establishments must adhere strictly to these guidelines.

Excise officials have reported multiple instances of timing violations during inspections, which the department has taken very seriously. The communication made it clear that non-compliance with the prescribed timings could lead to legal action under the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, and the associated rules. Currently, clubs and restaurants serving liquor are permitted to operate until 1 am. A previous proposal to extend this timing to 3 am under a new excise policy was ultimately scrapped.

In the past, the Delhi Police has also opposed proposals to allow extended liquor service hours, citing concerns related to law and order, as well as security issues. The police's resistance underscores the broader implications of such decisions on public safety.

Moreover, the Excise Department has instructed all licensees to ensure that CCTV cameras installed at their premises are fully functional at all times. This measure is crucial for enabling enforcement teams to verify compliance and investigate any reported violations effectively. Officials noted that verifying incidents becomes challenging when CCTV footage is unavailable, often leading to complications during enforcement actions.

As the hospitality industry in Delhi continues to evolve, the government’s focus on enforcing liquor service regulations is a reminder of the need for strict adherence to the law. Establishments across the city must now ensure that they comply with these guidelines to avoid penalties and contribute to a safer, more regulated environment for both residents and visitors.

Hotels and malls in Mumbai will finally be able to legally run open terrace restaurants. BMC approved the controversial rooftop restaurant policy and issued circular stipulating norms. The policy would be implemented with immediate effect. Rooftop restaurants operating now are illegal and recently the BMC had shut down many of them. The new policy will help such hoteliers regularize their illegal restaurants.

Under the new policy, existing malls and hotels in the city can have a dining place on the terrace if there’s no residential building within 10 metres. The eateries should have a 1.5 metre parapet, and no cooking will be allowed using an LPG stove or an open flame.

Till now, there has been no policy for rooftop restaurants, but hoteliers would have not only restaurants, but also bars, illegally in connivance of corrupt civic officials. For instance, the BMC found 36 illegal rooftop eateries in Ward A, which comprises Colaba and Cuffe Parade. Most such dining places are set up in sea-facing buildings to attract tourists. Restaurant would take BMC’s permission to set up a monsoon shed on their terrace, but convert the area into a rooftop restaurant. Following the municipal commissioner’s direction, the BMC recently demolished many illegal rooftop restaurants.

Adarsh Shetty, president of Ahar, an association of over 8,000 restaurants and bars in the city, said “the decision would open up ‘skylands’ for not only the hoteliers but also customers. Rooftop dining is not just a luxury but a necessity owing to space crunch in Mumbai. It will open up a new economy and also be a source of revenue for the state. It will also decongest the crowded hotels. Of course, fire and peripheral safety measures will have to be in place”.

Dilip Datwani, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association-Western India (HRAWI), said “International tourists will appreciate the move. Rooftop restaurants offer a unique dining experience and are popular across the world and a city like Mumbai was missing it so far.”

Association’s spokesperson Pradeep Shetty said “We are happy that the government is doing its bit for tourism. It has been our plea that huge spaces on terraces need to be unlocked to create leisure/recreation zones for citizens and tourists. There has been an emerging trend of ‘sky bars’ and ‘rooftop cafes’ the world over and Mumbai, being the commercial capital of India, lacked policy for allowing such activities. We are happy that tourists and citizens will now have additional avenues for entertainment.”