Bengaluru residents will face dry days in the first week of June as the city gears up for the Karnataka Legislative Council elections and the vote counting for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. To ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process, the administration has imposed restrictions on the sale of liquor on specific dates.
On June 3, when the MLC elections polling is scheduled, liquor sale will be prohibited from 4 pm onwards until the polling day concludes on June 6. Similarly, due to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 vote counting on June 4, liquor sale will be banned from midnight on June 3 until midnight on June 4.
During the vote counting day, all shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, and taverns will remain closed, although restaurants and hotels will be permitted to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Bangalore City District, B Dayananda, has issued an order under the Karnataka Excise Statutes and the Government and Representation of the People Act, 1951, to enforce these restrictions. The order, effective from April 24 to April 26 and then from June 3 midnight to June 4 midnight, applies throughout Bangalore City District (except the Police Commissionerate Area).
This frequent imposition of liquor bans in the metro city is expected to affect individuals who enjoy socializing over drinks. Moreover, the consecutive dry days in June are likely to have an impact on liquor sales as well as the hospitality industry, including hotels and restaurants.
