Roadside bars are slowly becoming popular in the city due to revenue concerns of the State Government which is equally bereft of the consequences of liquor
serving points on the passers by and people living in the areas surrounding these bars known as on-shop outlets. There are about 10 such points of sale and consumption in the capital.
There is no separate provision in detail governing existence and manner of operation of an on-shop outlet popularly known as hata (courtyard) which is awarded to someone who has a piece of land or space adjoining the retail shop with entry from inside the outlet provided the interested party is willing to pay an additional excise duty.
“There is no specific provision regarding an on-shop outlet. If some one is willing to offer liquor in their
premises then they are allowed on certain conditions,” said Excise Commissioner RP Sinha.
The existing provision levies an additional 10 per cent duty on an on-shop which is calculated on the annual duty of a shop fixed by the department of Excise at the time of allotting a retail shop. A license is granted after inspection of the site but security concern doesn’t figure among the list of dos’ and don’ts while awarding a license for on-shop liquor outlets. There are about 115 retail outlets in the urban area and the collection target from the entire outlet including on-shop points is Rs 800-crore in the current fiscal.
“We do inspect a place before giving license to operate but there is no mechanism to carryout random inspections to check implications of an on-shop bar on the law and order situation,” added the Excise Commissioner.
A license to an on-shop could only be terminated if a shop fails to deposit excise duty however threat to peace and security due to people under the influence of alcohol is not the ground for shutting down such places which becomes a point of conflict between people. Indirectly, government seems to be legalizing the place where people of all shades and background come as soon as the Sun sets.
“We always keep in mind that people do not quarrel and disturb peace. We are here to sell liquor and we are selling because government is allowing. What happens inside is our responsibility but we are not to blame for what happens on streets,” said an on-shop owner in Harmu By-pass.
However, drinking near a liquor shop that doesn’t operate under the category on-shop has become a common thing at almost all liquor outlets. As night grips the city wine shops witness an unprecedented surge of wine lovers who keep regards for the society and moral values aside just to enjoy their glass of preferred liquor.
“Where they will drink is their choice but we do not allow them to drink at the shop. Consequences for allowing them to drink are too severe that only a fool would do so. If someone is drinking on street then police should look into it. They patrol the area but how many of them are actually arrestedIJ” said owner of Pyasa Wine Shop in Harmu.