Hoteliers, liquor shop owners and industries associations have requested the Gujarat government to withdraw the revised trading hours of the permitted liquor shops in the state, which came into effect from today.
They have demanded that the previous schedule be continued as the revised one will create problems for many, particularly tourists visiting the state.
As per the revised schedule, these shops will have to operate between 1030 hrs and to 1810 hrs instead of the earlier 1200 hrs and 2000 hrs.
President of Savli Industries Association, Bhupendra K Parikh said: "We will request Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to continue with the old schedule in the permitted liquor shops in the state as the new trading hours will pose difficulties for the tourism and industries sector."
A circular about the revised schedule had been issued on October 30 by S L Amrani, Director of state Prohibition and Excise Department.
The circular stated that the government decided to make changes in the existing trading time of these shops after an oral representation made by some women employees of the Prohibition Department, who are posted in these shops as part of their duties.
The circular stated that out of the total number of employees in the Prohibition Department, 33 per cent are women who find it difficult to work in these shops between 1200 hrs and 2000 hrs. "That is why changes have been made in the operation time of these shops," it said.
According to Parikh, the revised schedule of the trading hours, would particularly pose difficulties for the tourists.
President of Gujarat State Hotel Federation, Markand Desai questioned the rationale behind the change in trading hours.
"How can they change the trading hours when it was fixed by the same government over five years back? How could they concede just an oral demand made by some? They should have consulted all the parties involved before taking a decision to this effect," Desai said.
