Gujarat prohibition: The state government itself has admitted that a total of 24,000 liters of beer and foreign liquor have been consumed in the Gift City in the last one year. This information came out during the assembly session. Significantly, drinking alcohol was allowed in Gift City on 30 December 2023. Employees and visitors working here are allowed to consume alcohol under ‘Wine and Dine’ facility. The government says that liquor ban has been lifted to attract foreign companies and investors to develop Gift City as a global trade center.
Opposition raised questions
Leader of the Opposition Amit Chavda questioned the amount of foreign liquor and beer sold in the Gift City in the last one year. In response, the government said that Western India Recreation Project Private Limited and The Grand Mercury have been licensed to sell liquor in Gift City. During this time, the government has received revenue of Rs 94.19 lakh from the sale of liquor in Gift City. A total of 470 liters of liquor, 19,915 liters of beer and 3,324 liters of foreign liquor were sold here, causing a total of 23,907 liters.
Who is allowed?
Only foreign nationals in Gift City, NRIs and people working there are allowed to drink alcohol in hotels and clubs under special permission. Alcohol ban is still applicable for common Gujaratis. The opposition strongly opposed the liberalization of alcohol in Gift City. He alleged that the government is playing a game of ending liquor ban on the pretext of promoting industry and tourism in Gujarat.
