Weddings lose sheen without Patiala peg

Beyond the imminent crisis of widespread layoffs and colossal revenue losses, the big fat Punjabi weddings, known for their generous flow of liquor and “Patiala pegs”, have been hit in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of highways.

A majority of 3,000 plus marriage palaces and resorts in Punjab are situated on the outskirts along the highways and have been advised not to serve liquor even as there is ambiguity on serving liquor on such premises.

The government is cautiously not issuing daily liquor permits for events on such locations. Other marriage venues, including hotels and banquet halls, too face similar predicament. In fact, a majority of hotels in Punjab and scores in Chandigarh are facing a near drought of events sans liquor. Hotels are facing cancellations.

Forced leave

In Chandigarh, amid candlelight protests by bar employees, owners have started sending a sizeable part of manpower on “forced leave” that may eventually make way for layoffs.

Conservative estimates suggest that the likely job loss may eventually hit nearly 7 lakh family members.

The Hotel, Restaurant and Resorts Association Punjab (HRRAP) says there are in excess of 2,500 bars, hotels and restaurants in Punjab, out of which nearly 75% have been hit by the liquor ban.

Ever since April 1 when the SC ban came into effect, these establishments have suffered an estimated loss of Rs 350 crore, and counting, of which considerable revenue goes to fill coffers of cash strapped Punjab. Additional state revenue losses may mount to over Rs 1,000 crore.

Punjab has circumvented the SC’s order by denotifying stretches of seven state highways. But the HRRAP says the move is inadequate and that denotification will not offer relief to majority of ban-hit establishments selling and serving liquor.

Out of the 5,837 liquor vends in Punjab auctioned on Wednesday, about 225 vends that faced closure due to the ban are now likely to operate after the denotification order.