NR Cong has failed to regulate restobars in UT: AIADMK

Local admin deprived Puducherry, Oulgaret municipalities of ₹70 cr revenue by not levying entertainment tax on restobars for 3 yrs: Anbazhagan

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Puducherry

A Anbazhagan, the secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)'s Puducherry unit, on Sunday criticised the AINRC-led government for failing to regulate restobars operating in the Union Territory.

Speaking to reporters at the party's head office in Oupalam, Anbazhagan said, "Following the murder in one of the restobars which have mushroomed in Puducherry, senior police and excise department officials have issued reports imposing restrictions. But the UT government does not provide police permission for running restobars. Only tourist FL-2 licences are given for restaurants to serve liquor to customers till midnight. Using this licence, some restaurant owners close to the ruling party are conducting programmes without any approval. These include classical music, semi-nude dance shows, and men and women dancing together. Entry fees are collected at ₹3,000 per couple, ₹2,000 for single men, while women in skimpy attire are allowed free entry."