All roads lead to Daman as ban on liquor sale lifted

Surat: Hoteliers and restaurant owners in the Union Territory of Daman did brisk business on weekend holidays once Lok Sabha election got over in Gujarat. Hundreds of people from South Gujarat and Maharashtra had swarmed the watering hole.
Bacchus lovers were avoiding visiting Daman because of strict checking drive by police in view of Lok Sabha election.Election Commission of India had banned sale of liquor for five days prior to voting in Gujarat and Daman on April 23.
All the wine shops, hotels and restaurant strictly adhered to the ban on sale and consumption of liquor in the Union Territories of Daman, Diu and DNH for five days. Rush of tourists had dropped drastically last weekend, official sources said.
Mayur Gheewala, a textile businessman, said, “Last week, we dropped the plan to visit Daman due to police checking and ban on liquor sale. The ban has been lifted and we are off to Daman to enjoy the weekend.”
Shailesh Vaja said, “I respect the decision of the Election Commission of India. But I believe people should have been allowed to drink inside hotels and restaurants.”
Daman Hotel and Restaurant Association secretary Harish Thangal said, “All the hotels, wine shops and hotel owners are happy as election is over now. The weekend rush has increased in the Union Territory. We are hoping to churn out good business. There will again be strict vigilance before the counting day on May 23.”
Pramod Tandel, a wine shop owner in Devka, said, ‘Business was highly impacted due to Lok Sabha election and closure of wine shops for five days till April 23. The weekend holidays have increased sales twofold. Visitors swarmed the Union Territory from neighbouring district of Gujarat and also Maharashtra.”