Published On : Fri, Dec 30th, 2016

SC bar, demonetization dampen 31st December spirit of celebrations

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Nagpur
: With Supreme Court ordering ban on sale of liquor at shops within 500 metres off State and National Highways from April 1, 2017, the State Excise Department has decided to play it safe and has issued the one day liquor serving licenses to only those event management groups or agencies who are organizing parties at spots/hotels/places that do not fall within the ambit of the new rulings of Apex Court.

While speaking exclusively with Nagpur Today, Superintendent of State Excise in Nagpur Swati Kakde said that last year the State Excise Department had granted 28 One Day License or Permit to serve Liquor in parties during the December 31 celebrations. However, this year, they have granted the One Day License or Permit to serve Liquor only to 11 Event Management Groups or agencies. They have chosen to give permits or licenses only to those Event Management Groups who are organizing parties at hotels/places that does not fall within the ambit of the new rulings of Supreme Court. After a stringent scrutiny, the Department has decided to deny permits or licenses to 15 Event Management Groups or Agencies who had planned a party within 500 metres of National and State Highways. This move was aimed at reducing drunk driving and road accidents that claim thousands of lives every year.

Demonetization had its adverse effects on the sale of liquor only in the month of November 2016, said Superintendent of State Excise in Nagpur Swati Kakde. According to her the sale of Country Liquor was -7.2%, while Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) -4% and Beer-8%. However, the sale of liquor resumed and did better in December. Overall, the sale of liquor (both country and IMFL) in 2016 was higher than the sale in the year 2015. 

Cash crunch plays spoilsport
Demonetization and cash crunch too had its effects in dampening the spirits of December 31 celebrations. The limitations in cash withdrawals, the cash at hand, limited cash tendered by ATMs has adversely affected the Tickets or Passes sale of the December 31 day celebrations organized by various event management groups. Usually almost every square has a hoarding advertising DJs and Musical Nights and Parties on December 31. However, this year, surprisingly very few banners and hoarding advertized the December 31 parties. The youth too are thinking twice in spending the bare minimum pocket money party on one day.