October 2 (Saptami) will be a dry day owing to Gandhi Jayanti. However, there has been no notification from the state excise department (as of now) for Vijaya Dashami which is on October 5.
“Till Thursday, there has been only one circular stating that all liquor selling activities would be halted for 24 hours on October 2. There hasn’t been any circular regarding Vijaya Dashami. For the last few years, the state government has been issuing relaxed norms for Vijaya Dashami and it is likely to be the same this year too. However, before the Pujas, we still have one more working day left that is Friday,” said an excise department official.
Following the circular, city restaurateurs expressed mixed reactions. While they are happy about the relaxation (till now) on Vijay Dashami, the dry day order for October 2 which is also a Sunday and Saptami (this year), they feel the circular will put a leash on their coffers.
“Puja spells a fortune for the food industry and sales of alcohol especially during the festive season brings in a bounty for us. The food industry works for 24 hours during the five days of Puja and the workers, too, get huge tip and perks for working extra hours. And a dry day within the Pujas will tantamount to quite a loss,” said a Park Street-based restaurant owner. Meanwhile, establishments like Olypub, will remain closed on Saptami. “No one visits us (Olypub) only for food. It’s a huge loss but what to do? We will have to suffer the losses,” said an official from the bar.
Sudhir Ahuja, managing director of Beyzaa Hotel and Suites, said at an establishment like Bakstage, which is essentially a bar, 70% of the total bill amount comes from alcohol. “While dining with only food gets over in an hour or so, once alcohol is added, it goes up to at least three hours per table. Our food and hotel services will be available on Saptami but we will abide by the circular and not serve liquor,” he added.