Watering holes owners say they do so because bribes are too high

A few days away from celebrating its annual jazz festival, a cafu00e9 at Koregaon Park is running from pillar to post to ensure the event does not attract too many visitors. The restaurant is among many in the city that are toning down their events that are being held without proper licences.

Police pressure
"It has become increasingly difficult to hold legitimate musical events in the city because of increasing police pressure. They want us to have a Premises and Performance Licence (PPL) whenever we hold events along with our regular licenses. However, to issue the same, they not only charge us the regular fee but also demand heavy bribe," said a club owner in Koregaon Park, on condition of anonymity.

"Last week, a new rule was implemented that says we one has to apply for PPLs a month in advance. We had no choice but to either cut down on shows or halt publicity for some events because we don't want to deal with the hassles of this licence business," said another restaurant owner.

Monitor events
Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh however said that clubs shied away from obtaining PPL licences because they don't want to draw the police's attention to antiu2013social activities that occur there.

"The PPL is one way the police keeps a tab on such establishments. It helps them monitor the events. What the police charges for the PPL is so nominal that there should be no room for complaint," Singh said.

DCP Anant Rokede, in charge of licences, said, "A week is all it takes one to obtain a PPL."u00a0

Club owners said it would help if the police issued PPLs like they do it in Mumbai.

"In places like Mumbai, they issue yearly licences while here, they refuse us this facility. Since it's cumbersome to take a PPL each time, most people flout rules," added the pub owner from Koregaon Park. However, DCP Satish Kahandare, Zone II, said, "Most clubs and restaurants in Pune do not host events on a regular basis.

Which is why there is no need for a yearly licence."