Old schedule of liquor shops restored

Ahmedabad, 12 November 2013

Keeping in mind various factors and the larger interest of tourists, hotel owners and others, the Gujarat government has directed the Prohibition and Excise Department to restore the earlier 12.00-20.00 hrs schedule of permitted liquor shops in the state.

As per the revised schedule, which had come into force from November 6, the permitted liquor shops across the state had to operate between 10.30 hrs and 18.10 hrs.

However, opposition Congress party, hoteliers, liquor shop owners and industries associations had opposed the move and demanded that the old schedule be continued to avoid problems for many, particularly tourists visiting the state.

A circular about the 1030-1810 hrs schedule was issued on October 30 by the state Prohibition and Excise Department.

The circular had stated that the government decided to make changes in the existing trading time of these shops after an oral representation by some women employees of Prohibition Department, posted in these shops as part of their duties.

The circular had stated that out of the total number of employees in the Prohibition Department, 33 per cent are women who find it difficult to work in these shops between 1200 hrs and 2000 hrs.

State Home Secretary himself had said that the schedule cannot be changed just for the convenience of recently-recruited women employees.

27 licensed liquor shops in Gujarat

Ahmedabad
Cama hotels, Khanpur, Ahmedabad
Rivera hotel, Khanpur, Ahmedabad
Hotel Royal Manore, Trident, Ahmedabad
Hotel Inder Residency, Ahmedabad
Hotel President, CG Road, Ahmedabad

Vadodara
Saran Wines, RC Dutt road, Vadodara
FP Patel and Company, Alkapuri, Vadodara
Gujarat Hotels Limited(Welcome group), Vadodara
Express Hotels private limited, RC Dutt road, Vadodara
Hotel Jindal, Sayajiganj, Vadodara
Hotel Satyaketu, Sayajiganj, Vadoara

Surat
HH and Sons, Lalgate, Surat
Hotel Oasis, Varachha road, Surat
Gujarat JHM Hotels limited, Athwalines, Surat
Hotel Silver Plaza, Station road, Surat

Rajkot
Rajkot Wine Merchant Association, Dhebar chowk, Rajkot
City Organizer Private Limited, Yagnik road, Rajkot
KK International Limited, Kalavad road, Rajkot

Kutch
CL Sharma Resort, Gandhidham, Kutch
Hotel Holiday Village Resort, Gandhidham, Kutch
Hotel Prince, Station road, Bhuj, Kutch

Mehsana
Keshav Holiday Resort, Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway, Mehsana

Anand
Hotel Surbhi, Amul Dairy Road, Anand

Gandhinagar
Hotel Haveli, Sector 21, Gandhinagar

Jamnagar
Motel Damjis, Jamnagar

Bharuch
Criso Hotel, Ankleshwar, Bharuch

Kheda
Patel Wines, Dumral, Nadiad, Kheda

Licensed liquor shops across Gujarat to remain open now just during office hours, Congress opposes the decision