The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Want to party, carry ID proof

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Thursday, Dec 30, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Want to party, carry ID proof

M. Srinivas

Excise Department cautions teenagers participating in New Year festivities

Special teams will keep a vigil on bars, pubs and star hotels on December 31
Bar managements given guidelines on whom to serve liquor and whom not to

HYDERABAD: Carry your identity proof during the New Year's eve bash or else get ready to lighten your pockets!

This warning was issued by the Excise Department to teenagers participating in the New Year festivities at bars, pubs and star hotels in the State capital on December 31.

Prohibition and Excise Department Assistant Commissioner A.V.V.S.N. Murthy said special teams had been formed to keep a vigil on bars, pubs and star hotels on December 31. Resorts on the city suburbs would also be monitored.

Several complaints

The caution was issued to prevent youngsters below 21 years from consuming liquor. Following several complaints about underage children frequenting bars and pubs either to smoke hookah or consume alcohol, the department has issued notices to managements stating that stern action would be taken if liquor is served to the under-aged.

Also, managements should serve liquor to youngsters only after examining their identity proofs such as driving licences, PAN cards or college ID cards to confirm their date of birth. If managements are found to be ignoring the notices, a penalty of Rs.1lakh will be collected apart from cancelling licence for 15 days, the department warned.

Threat of fine

The department would impose a fine of Rs.3,000 on teenagers for consuming liquor, said excise officials.

As per Section 36(1) G of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, managements should not sell liquor to the under-aged. Imposing hefty fine and suspending liquor licence for a fortnight would be initiated in case owners violate norms. At the same time, under-aged were punishable under Section 34G of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act for consuming liquor, officials explained.

The crackdown, officials maintained, will check the fatal accidents involving teenagers that occur every year in the city and its outskirts during and after New Year celebrations.

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