Clubs & bars to close by 11 pm in
Sikkim
GANGTOK,: Nightlife in Sikkim towns now ends an hour before midnight.
The State
government on Wednesday notified that all restaurants, pubs, discotheques, karaoke
bars and other establishments in Sikkim shall close by 11 pm.
Persons
below 21 years and students in uniforms are also restricted from entering pubs,
discos, karaoke bars and other like establishments, notified the Urban
Development department on January 8. Onus on restricting entry to the under
21-year olds and students in uniforms has been put on the owners.
All
restaurants shall ensure that persons below the age of 21 years as well as
students in uniforms are not served liquor or alcoholic beverages as per the
existing Excise laws.
Violation
of these rules may lead to suspension of trace licenses along with a penalty of
Rs. 50,000 or cancellation of trade license, said the Urban Development
department.
The
department noted that complaints are being received from various quarters
regarding the need to regulate the timings of restaurants, pubs, discotheques
and other such establishments in the State.
It is
reported that entry of persons below 21 years of age is allowed without any
restrictions in such establishments, and liquor/alcoholic beverages are also
served to them. Such practice is not in consonance with the cultural values,
social norms and public health of youth of Sikkim in particular, the Urban
Development department.
On January
3, Chief Minister PS Golay had directed that nightclubs and pubs in Sikkim
shall be allowed to operate till 11 pm only. Any establishment found running
beyond this time will face license cancellation, and the responsible police
officer will face suspension or termination, he had warned while speaking at a
public function.
This
decision has been made in the interest of public welfare, the Chief Minister
had said, noting regular instances of fatal accidents that have occurred late
at night, often involving drunk driving. The late-night hours of discos and
pubs have contributed to some of these life-claiming accidents.
