There is hope after midnight to get alcohol in Karnataka

The matter of the extension of deadline for serving alcohol at star hotels and clubs in the city is far from settled, yet. On Tuesday, despite home minister VS Acharya’s rejection of the demand for an extension in the deadline till 2 am, excise minister MP Renukacharya said he was confident of convincing the chief minister and the home minister.

Renukacharya chaired a meeting with star hotel owners on Tuesday, and listened to them as they explained their needs. Sources said that the representatives of star hotels were unanimous in seeking that the deadline for serving alcohol be extended from 11 pm to 2 am.

The excise minister clarified, right at the start, that there was no proposal to extend business hours at ordinary bars and restaurants. These are expected to take orders for alcohol only till 11 pm, and are supposed to shut, under law, by 11.30 pm. “But we are considering the demand of star hotel owners. I have never said that the timings would be extended. I have only said that we are examining the extension of the deadline for star hotels,” the excise minister clarified.

Referring to reports in the media, Renukacharya said, “This is a minor issue. I don’t know why some people are blowing it up into such a big issue, creating confusion. I called a meeting of owners of star hotels, a meeting with officials will be convened on June 18. The matter will then be taken to the chief minister and the home minister.”

Renukacharya explained that in other states and cities that draw a large number of international tourists, in New Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad and Mumbai, for instance, the deadline for serving alcohol is 2 am. He added that the demand for the extension of the deadline had come from owners of the star hotels; it was not as if he was proposing the extension, personally.

Reacting to city police commissioner Shankar Bidari’s statement that the excise minister had no power to extend the deadline, Renukacharya said, “I know what my power is; and I am acquainted with the law and order situation in the city. A decision in this matter will be taken at the highest level. If the police commissioner has problems, he should come and discuss these.

I have no need to go to him.” The minister added that the police commissioner had no reason to question his authority.