Ahmedabad, 7 November 2013

Gujarat government’s Prohibition department has further limited the timings of operation of licensed liquor shops.

Licensed shops that were earlier functional between 12.00 noon to 8.00 pm will now be operational only between 10.30 am and 6.10 pm.

There are 27 license liquor shops in the state including 6 in Vadodara, 4 in Ahmedabad and 4 in Surat.

The decision has been taken after lady inspectors and constables demanded for it. There are now 33% women working as sub-inspector and constable.

Liquor permit holders describe this decision as ridiculous because whether a permit holder or a visitor from outside the state – one would prefer to purchase liquor mostly in the evening only.

Ahmedabad
Cama hotels, Khanpur, Ahmedabad
Rivera hotel, Khanpur, Ahmedabad
Hotel Royal Manore, Trident, Ahmedabad
Hotel Inder Residency, Ahmedabad
Hotel President, CG Road, Ahmedabad
The Grand Bhagavati, SG Highway, 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

Congress opposes the decision

Opposition Congress party has criticized the Gujarat government for its decision to change trading hours of permitted liquor shops in the state.

Shankersinh Vaghela, Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, alleged the move reflected existence of a nexus between bootleggers and the BJP Government.

Vaghela sought to know why female employees are posted at these liquor shops.

“Why should women employees be posted in such liquor shops if they find it inconvenient. Instead, they should be posted in the offices of Prohibition Department located across the State.

“There are women employees in police department, forest department, Government-run hospitals, where they perform their duties during night hours. Malls and private companies also employee women who work at odd hours,” he said.

Illegal selling of liquor is taking place across the state due to failure of the Gujarat government to strictly implement its prohibition policy, the former CM alleged.

The new schedule will benefit bootleggers and their business will thrive. Tourists and other visitors to the state will buy liquor from bootleggers after these shops close down at 6.10pm, Vaghela added.