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Pubs no longer safe, residents prefer hosting liquor parties at private places
With rising untoward incidents at popular pubs and other public places, hosting liquor parties at private places seems to have become a new trend for the residents of Gurgaon.
With rising untoward incidents at popular pubs and other public places, hosting liquor parties at private places seems to have become a new trend for the residents of Gurgaon.
As event organisers, fearing brawls and chaos at pubs, are queuing up to get licences for serving liquor occasionally, the excise and taxation department has decided to increase the charge for one-day permit from Rs 1,500 to Rs 10,000.
As per the department’s record, on this New Year eve, a total of 40 one-day permits were issued.
The figure was 30 during the celebration last year.
In the financial year 2009-10, a total of 1,230 one-day permits were issued, whereas in the current year the number has already crossed one thousand in November.
According to party organisers, increase in the charge of one-day liquor permit will not affect private celebrations as their prime concern is safety.
“Fee hike for one-day permit would make no difference to us as far as our enjoyment is concerned. At private parties, there is no time limitation. Life is more precious than money. Partying outside pubs is very unsafe in Gurgaon,” said Saurabh Pathak, a manager with a BPO firm.
“Craze of liquor is increasing day by day among youths. Every year, the number of bars and other drinking places are increasing as for young revellers, there is no limit of pocket money,” said, Anup Singh, district excise and taxation commissioner.
After a series of brawls and incidents of crime against women in the city in the recent past, residents feel more insecure while going out for late night parties.
The crackdown against drunken driving launched by traffic police has also forced them to think twice before visiting pubs and bars by their own cars.
