NEW DELHI: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress on Saturday clashed over the Gujarat government’s decision to permit liquor in GIFT City, partially reversing the state’s stringent prohibition policy.
In a bold move, the Gujarat government on Friday allowed consumption of alcohol in GIFT City (Gujarat International Financial Tech-City) in the state capital.
According to the new rules, all authorized employers and employees in GIFT City will be given liquor access permits. Additionally, authorized visitors to GIFT City will also be issued temporary permits using which they can consume alcohol in restaurants, clubs and hotels in the presence of permanent employees of companies operating in GIFT City.
The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party deemed it an unfortunate move that could harm the youth, while the BJP viewed it as a means to foster a conducive business environment in the area.
“This is a very unfortunate decision. The BJP government wants to lift prohibition in the state and they have started it with GIFT city. Tomorrow they will say they want to lift liquor ban at the Statue of Unity (in Kevadia) and Tent City of Dhordo in Kutch to attract tourists as well as the Surat Diamond Bourse,” leader of opposition Amit Chavda said.
“This will ruin the youth. Those who drink and come out of GIFT City will cause accidents and may harm our women. Do they (government) think lifting the liquor ban will attract investment,” he questioned.
Congress MLA Ganiben Thakor urged for an immediate withdrawal of the decision to uphold law and order and protect the dignity of women. She expressed concern that permitting liquor in GIFT City might lead people to drink there instead of outside Gujarat.
Umesh Makwana, the AAP MLA representing Botad, wrote a letter to chief minister Bhupendra Patel, urging the reversal of the decision to revoke prohibition in GIFT City.
State minister Rushikesh Patel justified the government’s decision by highlighting its intended benefit for industry players arriving from outside the state.
“This is a decision to provide same lifestyle to business leaders that they are used to in places where there is no liquor ban. Many foreign companies that have come to GIFT City are part of (Fortune) 500 plus companies. Let the Congress say what they want to but they will later understand the importance of this decision,” Patel asserted.
The government believes the move will not only attract new investments from global investors but also make it easier for companies to pick talent from around the globe.
GIFT City is home to 470 entities registered under the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), global banks, alternative investment funds, three exchanges, insurance and intermediaries, among other fintech entities.
With a workforce totalling around 20,000 persons, companies in GIFT City unanimously echoed the challenges faced while hiring and retaining young talent due to stringent liquor prohibition.
Industry players opine that easing liquor prohibition norms will boost GIFT City’s stride towards becoming a global nerve centre for new-age financial and technology services.
GIFT City is an integrated development on 886 acres of land that has commercial establishments and residential space. It is considered to be India’s first greenfield smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
(With agency inputs)
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