Planning a hsg society party with booze? Get a licence

MUMBAI: As New Year’s Eve approaches and party plans are in full swing, housing societies that wish to bring in 2015 on building terraces or open grounds may do well to get a one-day licence from an excise inspector if liquor is to flow. They can blast music on loudspeakers till midnight.
Those who plan to hold a house party don’t have much to worry about, except pesky neighbours.For a house party, no permission is required from either the state excise department or the police. You can sway to music or just sway till the wee hours provided Hozier or Yo Yo Honey Singh is not blaring at decibles which may disturb an elderly resident next door.
But house party hosts may enjoy more if they apply for and get a one-day liquor permit for guests who don’t possess their own. Buying, possessing, carrying or consuming liquour, whether foreign, domestic, beer or wine without a valid permit is a violation the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949, an archaic state law still on the statute books. A day’s licence costs Rs5, commissioner of state excise Dr Sanjay Mukherjee told TOI and people would surely be at ease if they bought these permits he added.
Mumbai police chief Rakesh Maria told TOI, “December 31 is one of the dozen-odd exceptions when loudspeakers in the open are allowed till midnight.” For those partying indoors, be it in five-star hotels or clubs music can be played till 5am but should not be audible outside or annoy others. If there are complaints from residents, the police will have to act on them, Maria said.
Sukesh Shetty owner of a restaurant and secretary of Ahar, said, “We are happy that like last year, the state government has allowed permit rooms and bars to remain open till 5am the next day for New Year’s Eve and wine and liquor shops till 1.30am.’’
Lawyers, however, cautioned people against the misuse of law by officials. Advocate Veena Thadani said the “law is outdated and a colonial hangover which needs to be changed drastically. Sometimes, when there is a raid patrons are also harassed unnecessarily for not possessing permits to consume liquor.’’
Liquor & the Law | The Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949
Know the law and ensure there are no hiccups at your New Year’s Eve party
LEGAL DRINKING AGE * 21 for mild beer and wine * 25 for hard liquor (domestic & foreign)
* Permit to consume liquor | Every citizen must get a permit from the State Excise Department under Section 70-D of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949
* What is required | Two photos, and proof of age and address
* Permit fees | Rs5 for one-day permit for foreign liquor; Rs2 for domestic liquor * Rs100 for one year * Rs1,000 for lifetime permit
* A day’s permit for buying and drinking or club licence can be applied for and made before an excise inspector, on the spot * A permit also allows a person to, buy and ferry, at one go, two units per week for possession, use and personal consumption * Two units is equal to two bottles of hard liquor of 750ml each or six bottles of beer or six of wine *
Foreigners in Mumbai | Passport is permit
* Permission for house party | None
* Permission for party where liquor is served on housing society building terrace, grounds or club | One-day club licence at Rs12,000
* Permit will be issued by an excise inspector on the spot
OFFENCE | Failure to abide by law can result in fines
PARTY TIMING | The state government has allowed parties to go on till 5am at hotels, clubs, restaurants (including vegetarian). Liquor shops can remain open on Dec 31 night till 1.30am
MUSIC & LOUDSPEAKERS * Parties indoors can go on with music till 5am
* MIDNIGHT | Deadline for loudspeakers at parties on open grounds or open common terrace, a senior police officer said
* Violation of noise pollution rules under the Environmental Protection Act attracts harsh punishment of up to five years in jail or fine of up to Rs1 lakh, or both ---Text by Swati Deshpande