Pub closure time extended

Nirmal Mangar, TT, Gangtok, June 15: The Sikkim government extended the closing time for bars and restaurants from 11pm to 1am from June 13.

The urban development secretary, G.T. Bhutia, said: "The present 11pm closing time would be extended to 1am for bars and restaurants and it would also be applicable to eateries on all days in the state. The notice of the revised timing was issued by the urban development department on June 13 and has come into immediate effect."

"There were demands to extend the closing time for bars and restaurants from pubs and hotel owners and the government decided to apply it. The decision was taken after consulting stakeholders like police, tourism and excise departments. As long as law-and-order is respected, it should be introduced," said the secretary.

The Sikkim Hotel and Restaurants' Association has welcomed the decision.

"We are happy with the decision of the government, it was a long-pending demand. The customers were also not happy with the old timing as it was too early to close the restaurants and bars," said the president of the association, Pema Lamtha.

Sandip Lama, a pub owner in Gangtok said the revised timing will also help the business.

East district superintendent of police, D.B. Giri, said: "The deployment of police would be increased to monitor law-and-order situation in town. We will regularly conduct breath analyser test at night so that driving in drunken state could be detected."