Gurgaon’s top hotels, bars get admn’s go-ahead to sell booze
CHANDIGARH:In what could bring a smile to the Bacchus’ lovers of Gurugram, several top hotels and bars have got a go-ahead to sell and serve liquor in the latest review done by a committee headed by district deputy commissioner, it is learnt.
These include Ambience Mall, Westin, Oberois, Leela Kempsinki, Trident, Country Inn and Resorts, and Crowne Plaza. The CyberHub is also almost through except that a query regarding the town and country planning department, said an official.
In addition, about 15 outlets in sector 29 have also got the clearance to sell liquor.
These were prohibited from selling and serving liquor in view of the Supreme Court’s December 15 judgment on a petition seeking check on drunk driving to cut down accidents on the highways.
All these outlets selling liquor pass the committee’s test mainly on two counts: distance and visibility from the highway.
A committee comprising officials of different departments such as excise and taxation, police, town and country planning, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), public works department and Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) reviewed cases of these hotels, bars and pubs.
All these outlets had represented to the administration in view of the latest instructions issued by the government modifying its previous orders.
The Khattar government had directed last week that it will be the distance from gate of the bar and not the hotel which will be measured from the highway. “The distance should be counted from the outer edge of the highway or service lane and up to the entrance of the actual premises where liquor is actually being sold and served,” it said.
Regarding the visibility, the state government instructed that it is to be decided “on the basis that there is no signage, arrow mark or indication which suggests a visitor to know the existence of the place where liquor is being sold/served.” In other words, one shouldn’t be visible drinking liquor from the highway.
APPROVAL GIVEN IN THE RECENT REVIEW DONE BY A COMMITTEE HEADED BY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, IT IS LEARNT