Pub licences in limbo

Despite the grandstanding, the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has "conveniently" lobbed the ball in the city police's court on the issue of cancellation of licences of pubs on MG Road.

Despite the grandstanding, the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has "conveniently" lobbed the ball in the city police's court on the issue of cancellation of licences of pubs on MG Road.

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Although the excise department is within its rights to cancel licences of pubs which have been witnessing frequent brawls, the department is not keen to cancel licences on the ground that the police have to first file complaints against erring pub managements.

"If I receive any objection from any authority, including the police, against the pubs and bars situated in Sahara Mall, I would make sure the licences sent to the higher authorities in Chandigarh for renewal are not renewed for the year 2012-13," said Anil Kadiyan, deputy excise and taxation commissioner.

Although the police department has been silently opposing the decision of the excise department to renew licences of pubs, it has not come out in public "owing to obvious reasons". The state government's policy has been to rake in maximum money by doling out licences.

The police, which has been facing severe staff shortage, has been at the receiving end of proliferation of pubs. "MG Road pubs have been the epicentre of brawls and law and order problems in the city. We cannot go against the policy of the government," said a police officer, on the condition of anonymity.

The permission for operating pubs and bars is renewed every financial year. Gurgaon has a total of 208 joints serving liquor.

Sahara Mall has six bars on its sixth floor. The mall has gained notoriety due to increasing incidents of drunken brawls and law and order problems.