Some outlets yet to open, steep fines, licensing issues haunt them
Mr Sadhwani said it is difficult to pay the amount because of the huge loss he suffered after the ban was slapped 55 days ago.
Bengaluru: The lifting of the ban on pubs and bars within the municipal limits has brought cheer to pub and bar owners, but the proprietor of The Pub World, Mr Ashok Sadhwani, is sulking as he has still not been able to reopen his business as he is facing issues with renewing his licence.
He told Deccan Chronicle, “We are facing issues with our documents. In 2005, the state government had passed a rule to buy minimum stock from the government every month, which was not possible. So we were penalised Rs 10-20 lakh per licence,” he said.
Mr Sadhwani and many bar owners have been fighting the case for many years and requested the excise department to let them continue with their business till the court came out with the verdict.
Mr Sadhwani said it is difficult to pay the amount because of the huge loss he suffered after the ban was slapped 55 days ago.
He said, “Some pub and bar owners have paid 50% of the amount and opened their businesses. But thousands of liquor licences are at stake.”