KOLKATA: The bars in Park Street and other parts of the city, along with off-shops, will remain closed for almost five days next week — September 28 (from 6.30pm), 29 and 30 (up to 7pm) and October 2 and 3 — following the order of the Election Commission for Bhowanipore by-election where chief minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting.
For Gandhi Jayanti, October 2 will be a dry day. The only silver lining for tipplers is that the clubs will not be shut on this day.
As per the order, bars and off-shops will be closed in the areas under New Market, Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Kalighat, Bhowanipore, Alipore, Chetla, Ekbalpore, Watgunge, Boubazar and few more police stations in north Kolkata.
As per the Election Commission’s directive, bars and off-shops should remain closed in a constituency where the by-election is being held. Forty-eight hours is calculated from the end of the poll in a particular constituency.
Hotel and Restaurants Association of Eastern India, President Sudesh Poddar said the closure of bars due to election would impact the sales. “However, nothing can be done as this is the mandate of the Election Commission,” he added.
