Hyd extends shop hours open till 1 am

Shops, Restaurants in Hyderabad to Remain Open Until 1 AM

Hyderabad: In a significant move, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced that all restaurants and other establishments across Hyderabad will be allowed to remain open until 1 AM. This decision was communicated through an official verbal order in the Telangana Assembly on Friday, August 2. The new directive includes all establishments except liquor shops.

This announcement came in response to concerns raised by All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA and floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi. Owaisi expressed dissatisfaction with the enforced early closure of restaurants and establishments across the three commissionerates of Hyderabad. He also highlighted issues of aggressive policing in the Old City, where some officials reportedly chased and assaulted youth gathered outside their homes after 11 PM.

“Akbar saab, the other day complained that the police have been assaulting people post 11 PM across the city and it is troublesome for people. I am making a promise that all establishments including restaurants, other than liquor, across the city, Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda commissionerates, will be allowed to function till 1 AM,” stated Revanth Reddy.

Reddy clarified that liquor shops would still adhere to the earlier closing times, as extended hours for alcohol sales could lead to increased consumption. “I am a little against liquor. The liquor shops will shut at the earlier stated times. The longer they remain open, the more people consume,” he added.

Addressing Police Brutality in Hyderabad

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also addressed concerns about police brutality in Hyderabad. He assured the Assembly that the state would move away from superficial methods of policing and focus on more substantial, concrete policing strategies. This commitment comes in response to complaints about police misconduct, particularly in the Old City.

Earlier in the Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi had threatened to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against police highhandedness in the Old City. He questioned the legality and ethics of police operations such as ‘Cordon and Searches,’ ‘Mission Chabutra,’ and the ‘Counseling of Pedestrians,’ which have raised serious concerns among activists and citizens alike.

“Innocent people are being thrashed by lathi-wielding policemen for standing outside their houses. If this continues, I will file a PIL in the court,” warned Akbaruddin Owaisi. He emphasized that it should not be considered wrong for individuals to stand outside their homes or move around for medical emergencies after 11 PM.

These operations, which are intended to maintain law and order, have been criticized by activists as violations of human rights and have been deemed troublesome for the residents of Hyderabad. The extended operating hours for shops and restaurants are seen as a step towards reducing such aggressive policing measures by providing clear guidelines for law enforcement.

Impact on Businesses and Citizens

The decision to extend operating hours is expected to have a positive impact on businesses in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda. It allows greater flexibility for customers and can potentially boost the local economy by accommodating late-night diners and shoppers. This move aligns with the growing trend of metropolitan cities offering extended hours to cater to the lifestyle and convenience of their residents.

Business owners and customers have welcomed the decision, seeing it as a relief from the previous early closures that limited their operations and options. The extended hours will also help in creating a more vibrant nightlife in Hyderabad, promoting tourism and providing more employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s announcement marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to managing businesses and policing. It reflects an effort to balance law enforcement with the needs and rights of the citizens, ensuring that the city’s development is both inclusive and respectful of individual freedoms.

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