Holi 2024: Farm homes and banquets in Noida want a bar licence in order to sell alcohol

News from Uttar Pradesh: Today, on March 22, the Uttar Pradesh Police released guidelines aimed at preserving harmony and preventing any issues related to law and order as well as instances of hooliganism during Holi 2024. To guarantee their availability for duty, all police officers’ and staff members’ leaves will continue to be cancelled.
Prashant Kumar, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Uttar Pradesh, has instructed all field police officials to take strong action against anybody disrupting the state of law and order. He noted that in order to support the upkeep of law and order, district police chiefs have been directed to interact with notable people and community leaders in mixed-community areas.

He further said that throughout Holi, rapid response teams and mobile cops will continue to operate. The DGP has demanded specific deployments at key locations.

In addition, additional police officers have been sent to various districts according to their level of sensitivity. District police chiefs have also been directed to pinpoint hotspots and compile a list of troublemakers ahead of time so that they may be constantly watched.

Banquets in Noida and country homes requested a bar licence in order to offer alcohol.

Excise Department officials said on Thursday that banquet halls, RWAs, societies, farm homes, restaurants and other establishments in Noida and Greater Noida have been urged to ensure that event planners apply for an occasional bar licence in order to sell alcohol on their property. According to District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar Srivastava, if a licence application is not submitted, the authorities would take legal action against both the banquet hall management and the planners.

A notification issued by the department on March 11 is being served to various locations, including banquet halls, farm homes, restaurants, community hall-containing sectors, societies with clubs, marriage lawns, etc. Additionally, they were urged in the notice to ensure that during such activities, only alcohol that is authorised for sale in Uttar Pradesh is consumed.

“In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha General Elections 2024, you all are being informed that occasional bar licence (FL 11) should be obtained for serving liquor during Holi festival or at clubs in societies, community centres, farm houses, resorts, banquet halls, marriage lawns, etc and only liquor which is meant for sale in Uttar Pradesh is consumed,” the notice read.

To make sure that the alcohol being drank at events is legal for sale in the state of Uttar Pradesh, surprise inspections at events will be carried out by district-level inspection teams. Legal action would be taken against offenders by filing a complaint under relevant provisions of the Excise Act and the Indian Penal Code if liquor from any other province is identified or if liquor is consumed without a bar licence’, the notification said.

Srivastava said that if people want to offer alcohol to visitors in their homes, the excise agency is urging them to apply for sporadic bar licences. According to him, it is illegal to serve alcohol to anybody without a proper licence, and to do so is punishable by fines and prison time. According to the officer, the area has seen a 30–40% rise in applications for sporadic bar licences as people are becoming more aware of the laws surrounding the sale of alcohol at gatherings and in private residences.

“We are sending out notifications to all banquet halls and marriage lawns, requesting that they advise anybody hosting parties on their property to refrain from serving alcohol without first acquiring an excise department occasional bar licence.

“Otherwise, legal action would be initiated not only against the organiser of the party but also against the banquet hall owner or marriage lawn owner,” he said to PTI.

April 26 is the planned date of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha election.

Learn more about the celebration of Holi.

The colourful Hindu holiday of Holi, also referred to as the “Festival of Colours,” is widely observed across India. This year, Holi will be observed on March 25. Moreover, bonfires are lit as part of the celebration to symbolise the burning of the monster Holika.

Traditional treats are shared throughout the celebrations, creating a feeling of cohesion and camaraderie. Holi embodies happiness and love in their purest form.