‘Music ban in bars erroneous in nature’

New Delhi: Amid the Delhi government’s diktat banning playing of recorded music in restro-bars, a national body of restaurants on Monday said such violations should be dealt on a “case-to-case” basis and termed the blanket ban “erroneous” in nature. However, the excise department stood firm on its decision to enforce the ban.

While the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), which claims to represent around one-lakh restaurants across the country, said it is engaging with the excise department to resolve this issue, the latter asserted that rules must be followed and any violation will invite strict action.

Days after the order, some of the restaurants also are up in arms against the excise department, saying without music, their business will not survive and every such joint cannot afford live musicians.

Three days ago, the Delhi government said that restro-bars playing recorded songs or music in their premises will attract strict action from the authority and warned these establishments against it, citing laid down rules.

NRAI president Rahul Singh said, “Any violation on this front should be dealt on a case-to-case basis, and a blanket ban is erroneous in nature. There are family restaurants serving various cuisines and ambient music adds to their experience. Unfortunately, this will go silent with this dictate. NRAI is engaging with the excise department to resolve the issue,” he said after a meeting of the body.

Mr Singh said music is an integral part of customer experience and the source of music should not be the cause of any action. “Any nuisance created through music should be based on the decibel levels as prescribed by the law. If the music inside the restaurant is not violating the rules or creating any nuisance, the same should be permitted,” he said.

The government has said that according to the 2010 excise rules, restaurants serving alcohol are allowed to hold only “live singing or playing of instruments” by professionals.