Pubs hurting us, cancel licences: Owners of shops in Sahara Mall

Worried over law and order problems caused due to the five pubs located in Sahara Mall, others who own shops in the mall met excise department officials on Tuesday. Claiming that the problems have been affecting their business, shopowners demanded that the licences of the five pubs be terminated and they be shut.

A delegation of 50 shopowners met Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and Excise department Aruna Singh and submitted a letter, which noted that the pubs were creating nuisance and it was not possible for women and families to visit the mall after evening.

The shopowners also questioned the excise department's decision to grant licence to a sixth pub in the mall.

Following reports of law and order issues, the Sahara Mall management cancelled the lease for three of its five pubs.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult for us to run our business there. We are trying to keep up the pressure but in Tuesday's meeting too, nothing concrete came out and no confirmed action was promised by the excise department. If this continues, we will be left with no other option but to shut shop," Avinash Bhatiya, owner of a footwear shop at the mall, said.

Sources said the pubs have approached the court to seek relief against cancellation of lease. Sources in the management said they have already taken extra steps like biometric entrance and adding more security personnel. The management has also written to excise and police departments.

Singh told Newsline: "No concrete decision can be taken in Gurgaon. It has to be taken by our head office in Panchkula. After today's meeting with the shopkeepers, we will report the facts to our head office and they will take appropriate measures."

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