After a circular issued by the Excise Department last week reminded restaurants that only live music was allowed on their premises, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday told the Department to issue a clarification that there was no ban on recorded music.
On May 16, the Excise Department issued a circular to holders of the L-17 category of licence, which is given to restaurants that serve alcohol, saying that the rules permitted only live singing.
Many complaints
It said the department had received many complaints from locals about L-17 licence-holders violating the rule and causing nuisance.
NRAI meets Minister
After representatives of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) met Mr. Sisodia.
On Monday, he issued instructions to Excise Commissioner Amjad Tak asking for a clarification.
“Though the file was not shown to me before issuing the order. However after perusal of the order, I have found that order is not posing any ban of such nature [sic],” he wrote.
He added that there was still some “confusion” and asked the department to give a report of compliance by Wednesday.
