Hoteliers welcome 1 am closing time

Now want the govt to consider allowing restaurants to remain open 24/7

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

Hoteliers in the city h ave we l c o m e d the government’s move to allow restaurants in the city to remain open till 1 am, however many want the government to consider their request of staying open 24/7. “In 2016, there was an order that permitted the allowance of hotels to be open till 1 am.

However, many police officials would knock on our doors as early as 11 pm and would tell us to shut shop. We welcome the recent order that has clearly clarified that our hotels can be open till 1am,” said P C Rao, the President of Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA).

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy had recently issued an order in this regard. On the other hand, Rao stated that their primary goal still is to attain an order that will allow hotels to operate 24/7 within the city limits.

Almost 30-40% of shops, such as ice cream and late night eateries need to stay open post-midnight for business. “The union government allows the opening of hotels 24/7, while the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments have recognised the same and allowed it. On the other hand, the Karnataka government has been deaf when it comes to our requests on the same regard.

We appeal for them to take our grievances into consideration,” he added. City Police Commissioner told News Trail that the business hours of the places serving food in public places have been allowed to operate from 6 am to 1 am. The top cop has also directed the deputy commissioners (DCPs) and other senior police officers to take necessary action in this regard and refrain from asking restaurants to shut down before 1 am.

Bar-attached restaurants The Commissioner also directed the officials to allow the functioning of bar-attached restaurants even during the prohibition on sale of liquor. “In some situations, when the need for maintaining law and order arises, liquor sale will be prohibited in the city bars, wine stores and pubs, where they will be directed to be shut down.

However, it has come to our notice that, during such situations, even restaurants serving alcohol were asked to close. The officials are hereby directed to let the restaurants remain open and serve food but shut the bars during such situations,” the Commissioner said.