Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt has amended the rules to unify the operating hours of bar hotels across Kerala, ending the differential timing that was in force between notified tourism centres and non-tourism areas. With the amendment, all bar hotels in the state can function from 10am to 12 midnight. The amendment was notified, bringing the revised norms into effect. Until now, in 74 tourism centres notified by the excise department, bar hotels were permitted to function from 10am to 12 midnight. In other parts of the state, the timing was from 11am to 11pm. The disparity in operating hours was cited as a source of law-and-order concerns. According to excise officials, bar hotels located just outside the boundaries of notified tourism centres but adjacent to those within such limits, in several instances, continued operations beyond the permitted 11pm closing time, allegedly taking advantage of proximity to tourism zones. This led to disputes between bar establishments operating under different time limits, prompting intervention by excise authorities. In certain cases, officials registered cases against establishments found violating the prescribed timings. In view of these recurring issues, the excise department earlier proposed to the govt that bar timings be unified across the state to avoid ambiguity and enforcement challenges. The proposal remained pending with the govt for some time. With the amendment, the govt revised Rule 28 of the Foreign Liquor Rules to provide uniform operating hours. Also, as per the notification, FL-3 licensed premises of bar hotels with five-star classification and above may be permitted to remain open for an additional three hours beyond 12 midnight on payment of an additional annual rental of Rs 5,00,000. However, the notification stipulates that such licensed premises shall function only up to 12 midnight if the immediately succeeding day is a statutory dry day. Excise officials pointed out that in most other states, bar hotels are allowed to function from 10am to 12 midnight. In some states, five-star category hotels are permitted round-the-clock bar operations.However, the timing of the decision has drawn attention, as the proposal remained pending for a considerable period. The govt’s move to act on the recommendation shortly before the declaration of elections is likely to invite political interpretation, with questions being raised over whether the step carries electoral considerations.
