Pubs and Clubs of Hyderabad will neither play music nor will conduct any live shows, DJ nights. The newly issued verbal diktat by the excise department which was held on Friday conveyed this. The primary reason behind this was noise pollution and rising drug abuse in the city.
Many Pubs and Clubs are situated in residential areas so noise pollution can be a primary reason for banning music in pubs. But music has no connection with raising drug abuse. And how can Hyderabad be a Drug-free state if they ban music being played in the pubs?
‘We have been warned of strict punishment- temporary shutdown of 10 days or even cancellation of license- in case of the rule is violated. How can the industry survive like this?’ an industry executive said, after knowing the newly made protocols.
Excise minister V Srinivas Goud confirmed that the rules may be still unwritten but the implementations will not be delayed. The primary intention is to cut the noise pollution down especially in Jubilee Hills where several residents have filed multiple complaints, some of which are with the High Court- about this issue.
The minister also hinted that ‘Youngsters’ will be arrested if they are found while using drugs. He added further, ‘All these parties that happen disturb people living around clubs and pubs. They also become places to indulge in different things. These places can have some soft background music like in restaurants’.
Commissioner of prohibition and excise, Sarfaraz Ahmad was still unavailable even after numerous attempts. Various media houses to club and pub owners have tried to reach him since the verbal diktat issued on Friday.
A club owner said, ‘Every weekend we spread Rs3 lakh to Rs3.5 lakh to get artistes for live shows. That is our UPS. If we are not allowed to hold these events, how will we meet our expenses? So many people will be out of work. This move will cause tremendous harm to the industry that is finally getting back on its feet after the lockdown and the impact of the pandemic’.
He also added, ‘we are ready to support the government in every way to curb drug abuse, but disallowing us from playing music cannot be the solution.’
Members of the industry said that they trying to discuss this issue with senior officials further and ensure that they both work out on some middle ground that will be ‘beneficial’ for everyone.
