Darjeeling faces liquor ban, tourism to feel the pinch

Close your eyes and think of Darjeeling. The image that comes to mind is the sprawling hills, the mist and the chilly winds and what could be your best companion to ward off the biting cold — a shot or two of your favourite drink.

However, all this has become a thing of the past with Darjeeling running dry with the Apex Court's liquor shop ruling. More than 90 percent of the liquor vending establishments has been affected owing to this ban. The tourism industry has already started getting affected. The Supreme Court has ruled that no liquor vends will operate within 500 metre of national and state highways to sell liquor in a bid to prevent accidents owing to drunk driving. In case of areas having population below 20,000, the limit was reduced to 220 metre. The order came into effect on April 1. However, the Apex Court exempted Sikkim and Meghalaya, owing to topographical constraints.

"Darjeeling has the same topography and is characterized by the same socio-economic factors like Sikkim and Meghalaya. Nearly all the liquor vending establishments fall within the 500 metre mark from the highways, hence, have been shut down. Owing to the topography we can't even shift address. Wherever we shift we will fall in the 500 metre mark. We don't have a history of drunk driving accidents in Darjeeling. The bars mainly cater to the tourists and local residents. We hope that the Supreme Court reconsiders and exempts Darjeeling on the lines of neighbouring Sikkim and Meghalaya. Both Sikkim and Meghalaya are tourist destinations as well," stated Passang Tamang of the Blue Pine Restaurant.

He has stopped serving alcohol in his restaurant. "Business has come down by 80%. Tourists are no longer coming. I don't know how to sustain my family and the employees," complained Tamang.

There are 40 off shops and on shops in Darjeeling. Out of which, 37 are closed. In Kurseong, there are 2 off shops and 4 on shops. All of them are now closed. In Kalimpong, there are 4 off shops and 7 on shops. "We appeal to the state government to take the initiative as in the case of Sikkim and Meghalaya. They need to approach the Supreme Court for a revision in case of Darjeeling. The West Bengal On and Off Shop and Country Spirit and Hotel Owners' Association has also decided to approach the apex court to revise the decision," said Dharmendra Poddar, Acting Secretary of the Association in Darjeeling.

Poddar runs the single liquor wholesale in Darjeeling. Although the whole sale is outside the purview of the ban, his business has come to a standstill as most of the off shops and on shops are closed.

"Tourists visit Darjeeling to enjoy. As the climate is cold, tourism and social drinking go hand in hand. As Sikkim has no ban, tourists prefer to go to there. We are already feeling the pinch. Tourism is the economic backbone of the Hills. We appeal to the Supreme Court to reconsider and exempt the Hills of North Bengal," stated Pradeep Lama, General Secretary, Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents.

The star category hotels are also affected. "While booking customers are inquiring whether the Hotel falls in the purview of the ban, they are cancelling their bookings as soon as we tell them that liquor is not being served. Business is badly affected," stated Suman Baraily, General Manager of a hotel chain.

Every year around three and a half lakh domestic and thirty thousand foreign tourists visit Darjeeling. "I am aware of the happenings and am deeply concerned. However, as it is a court directive I would not like to comment on it," said Gautam Deb, Minister in charge of Tourism, government of West Bengal. Many have expressed concerns over the fact that large scale bootlegging and black marketing will take place with Sikkim being exempted from the ban.