Rejoice B’lureans, Your Favourite MG Road Pubs Will Reopen Soon!

Excise Commissioner has issues orders to renew permits of all liquor stores and pubs within 500 mt of the highway.

This weekend, Bengalureans would be able to enjoy a drink at their favourite pub on MG Road and Brigade Road. The Karnataka Excise Commissioner issued orders on 24 August to renew the permits of all liquor stores and pubs within 500 metres of the highway and falling under the municipal limits.

The pub owners said they would be able to obtain the permits within two days and by the weekend, most of the closed pubs would be able to serve liquor once again.

Around 340 pubs and bars across the city had their services stopped as they were within 500 metres of a highway. The Supreme Court on 23 August clarified that the liquor outlets and pubs that fell within the National Highway limits in municipal areas would be exempt from the ban.

In the circular, the Excise Commissioner quoted the Supreme Court order: “The purpose of the directions contained in the order dated 15 December 2016 is to deal with the sale of liquor along and in proximity of highways properly understood, which provide connectivity between cities, towns and villages. The order does not prohibit licensed establishments within municipal areas. This clarification shall govern other municipal areas as well. We have considered it appropriate to issue this clarification to set at rest any ambiguity and to obviate repeated recourse to IAs before the court.”

The circular went on to add: “In the light of clarification from Supreme Court, permits of liquor vendors within 500 metres of all highways in municipal limits can be renewed. Take all measures to renew such permits.”

Ashish Kothare, member, managing committee, National Restaurant Association of India, and director operations at Le Rock Pub, said that following the orders, several pub owners have approached the Excise Department for permits. “However, 25 August (Friday) is a holiday and there is some procedural delay as well. So, by 26 August, the pub owners will have permits, and the pubs will be open,” he said.

The news comes as relief for many pub owners, who were staring at a bleak future. “We are relieved and excited. We have already filed the paperwork for permit and we are ready to start serving again, once we get the permit,” Ashok Sadhwani, member of the Bengaluru Pub Owners’ Association, said.

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