Restro-bars can only play live music, not records, says govt

New Delhi: The Delhi government has said that restro-bars playing recorded songs or music in their premises will attract strict action from the authority. It has done so citing laid down rules. The government has directed that as per the 2010 Excise Rules, restaurants serving alcohol are allowed to have only “live singing or playing of instruments” by professionals.

The move comes after the Delhi excise department received a number of complaints from local residents regarding “nuisance” created by several restro-bars in the city. There are thousands of restro-bars in the national capital and most of them usually play recorded songs or music in their premises to entertain their customers and to attract people.

Delhi excise commissioner Amjad Tak said, “L-17 (restaurants which serve food and alcohol) are only permitted live singing and playing of instruments by professionals in their premises.”

According to the directions by the department, Rule 53 (4) of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, states that the L-17 licensee is allowed only live singing/playing of instruments by professionals. In Delhi, there is no provision of separate licence for pubs. L-17 is issued by the excise department to those restaurants who want to serve alcohol to their customers.

A senior government official said that teams of the excise department visit restaurants serving alcohol and take action against those violating rules.

“During inspection, we ensure that all laid down rules are followed and if there is violation of any rule, the department takes strict action against the establishments,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The excise department received Rs 305.85 crore as revenue in April this year, while in the same month last year the revenue was Rs 291.01 crore.

The department has set a target of Rs 5,200 crore from excise revenue in the current financial year.