Even though the Supreme Court has clarified that the liquor ban is not applicable to hotels and licensed bars within municipal limits, the State government is yet to come out with the final decision. On Friday, hotels, clubs and pub owners were thrilled about the lift in ban but at the same time were anxious to know when the State will come out with a final government order (GO).
The managing director of a hotel in Guindy said, “Neighbouring States have already opened their hotels and bars within city limits. If the government issues an order it will be business as usual for us,” he said. This hotel witnessed a 40% dip in Food and Beverage sale and a 20% dip in room bookings. Another hotelier on Anna Salai said that liquor is procured from the State government so they cannot go ahead and open the counters until the government gives its approval.
Two senior government officials said that they have sought the advice of the Advocate General. “We are working on this on a priority basis,” said one official.
T. Nataraajan, secretary, South India Hotels and Restaurants Association, said that the losses have been significant so far. “Apart from bar losses, collateral sales have also fallen. Speciality and fine dining restaurants affected were only doing about 30 to 40% of the sales they used to,” he said.
Clubs which were banned from serving liquor also said that they are waiting for the GO to open the bar doors, said V. Murali, vice president, Cosmopolitan Club, and management committee member, Gymkhana Club. “Activity has been very low key and it may have a chance to go back up again,” he said.
A member of a club on Mount Road said that despite the recent SC ruling, they hadn't received any intimation from the club if they were planning on opening the bar and resuming services. Members of a few clubs that stopped serving liquor had shifted patronage to nearby clubs.
Relocating outlets
Tasmac had closed 3,321 of its liquor vending shops in the state following the Supreme Court. Of this more than 50% fall under municipal limits in various districts. A senior Tasmac Union member said, “More than 1,183 shops were relocated. Work was put on hold after the High Court order.” Some of the shops that were closed are still under lock and key and in some places the buildings have been vacated. “The ones that have vacated will now have to find newer places to commence operations,” the Union member said.
(With inputs from Sangeetha Kandavel, Zubeda Hamid, S.Poorvaja and Deepa.H.Ramakrishnan)
