The Karnataka government could soon have some good news for consumers of alcohol in Bengaluru as it is mulling extending the deadline for bars from 11:30 pm to 1 am on all days of the week, reported TNIE.
Currently, bars and restaurants that serve liquor have to shut down by 11:30 pm on weekday and 1 am on weekends.
The idea seems to have come after the smooth functioning bars in the city for seven days between December 25 and January 1, during which government had extended the deadline to 1 pm with police security.
Home Minister G Parameshwara told the newspaper that the government was looking at extending the deadline as no untoward incident took place when the bars were open till 1 am for a week. This would be implemented only if the police are able to provide security.
Though the proposal to extend the deadline has been sent to chief minister Siddaramaiah, there are a few bottle-necks that need to be addressed first.
The police are short-staffed and extending the deadline would only mean more pressure on them.
While Parameshwara accepted that there is a 30 percent shortage at the constabulary level, he added that the recruitment process had begun, the report states.
Extension of the deadline however doesn’t automatically mean all drinking joints will stay open past midnight. Only those bars with late-night patrons can be open. The extension makes no difference to the others.
TNIE quoted head of National Restaurants Association of India in Bengaluru, Ashish Kothare as saying, “An extended deadline gives them more time and binge drinking will come down.” However, it would not boost business.