Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association wants cops to take violators to task but stop harassing 'innocent' bars; is willing to disown members violating norms
Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association wants cops to take violators to task but stop harassing 'innocent' bars; is willing to disown members violating norms
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Four days after Mumbai police began its drive against bars allegedly for violating norms in the city, representatives from the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) decided to disown members if they were found violating these norms.
As reported by MiD DAY on February 21, (Stay home for WC beer fix) more than 350 bars in the city decided to down their shutters after bar owners alleged that Mumbai cops have been taking frivolous action against bar owners.
Reacting to police action yesterday, AHAR has appealed to Mumbai police to stop the harassment and punish those found violating the norms.
Sudhakar Shetty, president of AHAR said, "There are chances that a few bar owners are breaking the rules, but why should others be treated as criminals.
This is definitely injustice to those running businesses legally. If the police can prove that any particular bar is operating illegally, then we are ready to disown that member (see box). We had met the excise minister earlier and will be meeting the home minister to seek immediate intervention into the issue."
Shetty alleged that junior police personnel across the city have been behaving in an unlawful manner by enforcing closure of orchestra bars and pubs just to please their bosses.
In the last four days the bar industry has incurred a loss of approximately Rs 12 crore, Shetty revealed. As reported by MiD DAY on February 22, 'What you didn't know about drinking in public', AHAR had met police and excise officials demanding immediate action.
Bharat Thakur, chairman of AHAR's orchestra bar sub-committee said, "We are ready to face an additional Rs 12 crore loss unless the cops promise that they will impeach only violators and not prey on innocent individuals from the industry.
Unless the police take corrective measures, our members are doomed, together with the 1,200 entertainers comprising of musicians and singers and 7,000 waiters."
"We will continue with the strike as we are threatened with due consequences if outlets are found open. We are not against home minister RR Patil's order of shutting down dance bars, but at least legally run bars should be allowed to operate till 1.30 am, which is the permissible time limit issued by the police," said Thakur.
Demands by AHAR
Stop police intervention in excise laws
Stop police harassment and raids conducted by the police
Abolish age old drinking permit rule introduced on June 16, 1949. Maharashtra is the only state practicing the law. Abolish outdated excise laws
Rs 12 cr
Approximate loss in incurred by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association during the shut down
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