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New Diktat To Curb Drugs: Hyd Pubs Can’t Play Music! | Hyderabad News
HYDERABAD: Pubs and clubs in Hyderabad will not play music any more. And they will definitely not have live shows or DJ nights, thanks to a verbal diktat issued by the excise department at a hurriedly held meeting with industry representatives on Saturday. Reasons: Noise pollution and rising drug abuse in the city.
Noise pollution, one can understand given that some of the pubs are in residential areas. But what has the drug trade got to do with music? Many pub owners wondered if Hyderabad will become drug-free if their watering holes hit the silent button.
Shocked by the new directive an industry executive said, “We have been warned of strict punishment – temporary shutdown of 10 days or even cancellation of license – in case the rule is violated. How can the industry survive like this? We would appreciate if the government reconsidered this move.”
Excise minister V Srinivas Goud confirmed the new unwritten rule, but insisted it was being brought in primarily to curb “noise pollution”, especially in Jubilee Hills where residents have filed multiple complaints – even with the high court – on the issue.
The minister, however, hinted that the rule helped in arresting drug abuse by “youngsters”. “All these parties that happen disturb people living around clubs and pubs. They also become places for students and young people to indulge in different things. These places can have some soft background music like in restaurants,” he said.
Repeated attempts to reach Sarfaraz Ahmad, commissioner of prohibition and excise, proved unsuccessful.
“Every weekend we spend Rs 3 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh to get artistes for live shows. That is our USP. If we are not allowed to hold these events, how will we meet our expenses? So many people will be out of work. This move will cause tremendous harm to the industry that is finally getting back on its feet after the lockdown and the impact of the pandemic” said another club owner, adding, “We are ready to support the government in every way to curb drug abuse, but disallowing us from playing music cannot be the solution.”
Members of the industry said that they were trying to get an audience with senior government officials to discuss the issue further and ensure they can work out a solution that is ‘beneficial’ to everyone.
Noise pollution, one can understand given that some of the pubs are in residential areas. But what has the drug trade got to do with music? Many pub owners wondered if Hyderabad will become drug-free if their watering holes hit the silent button.
Shocked by the new directive an industry executive said, “We have been warned of strict punishment – temporary shutdown of 10 days or even cancellation of license – in case the rule is violated. How can the industry survive like this? We would appreciate if the government reconsidered this move.”
Excise minister V Srinivas Goud confirmed the new unwritten rule, but insisted it was being brought in primarily to curb “noise pollution”, especially in Jubilee Hills where residents have filed multiple complaints – even with the high court – on the issue.
The minister, however, hinted that the rule helped in arresting drug abuse by “youngsters”. “All these parties that happen disturb people living around clubs and pubs. They also become places for students and young people to indulge in different things. These places can have some soft background music like in restaurants,” he said.
Repeated attempts to reach Sarfaraz Ahmad, commissioner of prohibition and excise, proved unsuccessful.
“Every weekend we spend Rs 3 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh to get artistes for live shows. That is our USP. If we are not allowed to hold these events, how will we meet our expenses? So many people will be out of work. This move will cause tremendous harm to the industry that is finally getting back on its feet after the lockdown and the impact of the pandemic” said another club owner, adding, “We are ready to support the government in every way to curb drug abuse, but disallowing us from playing music cannot be the solution.”
Members of the industry said that they were trying to get an audience with senior government officials to discuss the issue further and ensure they can work out a solution that is ‘beneficial’ to everyone.
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