Ahmedabad: No time limit for buying booze

Tina Parekh
[ 8 Sep, 2006 0304hrs IST TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

AHMEDABAD: Gujaratis and tourists who hold liquor permits are in for a treat. The police has tweaked timings for buying liquor for permit holders, practically making it possible for them to buy liquor at all times.

The timings were 10.30 am to 6.30 pm, but will be changed to 12 am to 8 pm for buying liquor at licensed shops. Those who want liquor later than that would have to pay an additional charge.

The change comes as a boost to the hotel industry, where tourists will now be able to buy liquor at all times. Even as the government gave its nod to the changes, a resolution will be issued soon.

"The changed timings are more suited to tourists who check into hotels in the evening. We will issue a resolution in a couple of days," says additional director general of police RMS Brar.

The new timings will apply to 29 licensed liquor shops in the state except those at the international airport. Hoteliers welcomed the move.

"Many of our guests go for work in the morning and return at night. The changed timings will allow them to have a drink even late in the evening," says GM, Taj Residency Ummed, Shekhar Valavalkar.

But hoteliers feel the timings for issuing permits too should be extended — these are still issued between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

"Our guests complain that often there are no officials present to issue permits at the licensed shops during office hours. So these changes will mean something only if permits too are easily available," says proprietor of Hotel Grand Bhagwati, Narendra Somani.

Health permit holders of the state feel the changes will benefit them. "The changes are more practical. Nobody buys liquor in the morning and it makes more sense to extend evening hours," says Dinesh Pancholi who has had a health permit for 20 years.