State govt extends party deadline to 5 am for New Year celebrations, but police in the city ask restaurants and pubs to close at 12.30 am

City police play the party pooper

State govt extends party deadline to 5 am for New Year celebrations, but police in the city ask restaurants and pubs to close at 12.30 am

Despite the state home department in favour of people partying till 5 am on the New Year's Eve, the city police seem to have different plans. The city police are adamant on sticking to the 12.30 am deadline even on December 31.

The government order mentions that alcohol can be served till 1 am and restaurants can be open till 5 am.

Contradicting the government order, the local police stations have sent notices to restaurants, pubs and night clubs asking them to shut shop by 12.30 am in addition to the speakers being off by 12 am.

Though the police maintain that they are yet to take a final call after consulting the city commissioner, official announcements have already been made about the 12.30 am deadline.

Cops take final call
"We have received the notice by the state department regarding the 5 am deadline but the notice clearly mentions that it is ultimately the city police which will take the final call depending on the local law and order situation. It is up to us to whether we want to extend the deadline or not. We will meet the city commissioner Meeran Borwankar and then take a decision," said Sanjeev Singhal, (additional charge) additional commissioner of police.

On being reminded that there are just a few days to the New Year's Eve, he said the decision would be taken on Tuesday or Wednesday.

City restaurants and nightclub owners mention that the city police's attitude clearly shows that they are not ready to go with the 5 am deadline.

Ganesh Shetty, president of Pune Restaurant and Hoteliers Associations said, "All the restaurants received the notices regarding the 12.30 am deadline five days ago. And they have not renewed the deadline even after the state home department order. We are just waiting for the police to send us another formal notice."

A member of Pune District Wine Trader's Association (PDWTA) under condition of anonymity said that the
excise department had given the permission to restaurants and pubs to serve alcohol till 5 am. But due to lack of coordination between police and excise department, the deadline has not been extended as yet.
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Vijay Kutty, president of PDWTA said, "People can buy alcohol from retail shops till 1 am but they cannot place orders after 12.30 am at pubs and restaurants."