Today, On 21st May, Hotels and bar owners in Mumbai appeal to the Bombay High Court to challenge the imposition of a ‘dry day’ on the day of poll results. They argue that such restrictions adversely affect their business and are unnecessary after voting has concluded. The plea seeks relaxation of the ban on alcohol sales during this period, citing economic concerns for the hospitality industry.
Mumbai: The Association of Owners of Hotels, Restaurants, Permit Rooms and Bars (AHAR) filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court against the orders of the Mumbai city and suburban collectors that declared June 4, the day of parliamentary election counting, as a ‘dry day’.
The plea scheduled to be considered by a vacation bench on Wednesday.
The petitioners argue that the sale of liquor has been prohibited for the entire day of counting, even though the counting is likely to be completed and the results declared by the afternoon. AHAR approached the collectors in late April, requesting them to reconsider their decision, but told that the directive to observe a dry day came from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Read Also: LS Polls 2024 | Cash Transfers Stopped Until Voting On Monday by AP High Court
The ECI directed that for 48 hours before voting day and on the day of counting, no sale of liquor should take place, and dry days should be observed. However, AHAR claims that its members pay significant license fees to the State Government to carry on their businesses, while illegal liquor manufacturers and bootleggers thrive during these dry periods, making huge profits through the illicit sale of liquor.
The association argues that whenever authorized liquor outlets closed, illegal businesses take advantage of the situation, and the government’s revenue from legal liquor sales is diminished.
AHAR sought the Bombay High Court‘s intervention to address this issue and find a balance between the ECI‘s directives and the concerns of the legitimate liquor trade.
Thadani requested a modification of the Collectors’ order, proposing that establishments selling liquor be allowed to operate after the declaration of results, instead of facing a full-day shutdown. Following Thadani’s arguments, the bench instructed the advocates to present their plea on May 22.