Karnataka - Bangalore   

Police to frame rules on night eateries

BANGALORE: The city police are working out norms for licence for eateries functioning late at night.

Police Commissioner Shankar M. Bidari said that norms will be worked out in accordance with Section 31 of Karnataka Police Act.

The licences will be issued to those fulfilling the norms, including the existing norm of not operating beyond 11.30 p.m.

Mr. Bidari said the police were empowered to insist on closure of eateries and hotels by 11.30 p.m. “At present, the eateries and hotels were doing so when instructed by the local inspectors and police officers.” Now the police will put these norms in writing, he said.

Mr. Bidari’s comment comes following the case of Empire Hotel management, which recently challenged the order of the police to close down several of its outlets by 11.30 p.m.

The hotel management had challenged the order passed under the provisions of the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. Consequent to the petition, the city police had withdrawn the order as they had no such power under Shops and Commercial Establishments Act.

Mr. Bidari said the police have the power to regulate the working hours of eateries and hotels under the Karnataka Police Act, which is on the lines of the law that exists in Mumbai.

The Mumbai police have delegated the power to regulate of issuing licences between Assistant Commissioner of Police, Deputy Police Commissioner and the Police Commissioner. While the ACPs deal with licences pertaining to wayside stalls, the DCPs and the Police Commissioner will deal with applications from three-star hotels and above.

It has also delegated the authority of permitting activities beyond 11.30 p.m. between the Police Commissioner, Home Secretary and the Home Minister, Mr. Bidari said. He said the work was on to identify the number of eateries and hotels. “We are trying to lay down norms similar to those in Mumbai. We had not felt the need to lay down these norms till now,” Mr. Bidari added.

Meanwhile, Bangalore Hotel’s Association president K.N. Vasudeva Adiga envisaged no problem in allowing hotels to open beyond 11.30 p.m. as only a few such establishments are open so late.

“Not all the hotels will remain open after 11.30 p.m. Only some hotels situated near bus stations, railway stations, market places, etc want to continue business after 11.30 p.m. as there will be a demand to supply quality food for the commuting people,” said Mr. Adiga pointing out that hotels never create law and order problems unlike the places where alcohol is served.

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