Hookah bars will soon be regulated: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday declared in the Legislative Council that hookah parlours would be regulated. He also said that the government would take action if the floor space index (FSI) granted for setting up IT offices on mill land is misused, which was seen in the case of Kamala Mills, where a fire broke out in December 2017.

Congress leaders Sanjay Dutt and Sharad Ranpise, among others, raised the Kamala Mills fire issue by moving calling-attention motion in the Legislative Council. These members mentioned the illegalities done while developing private mill land and the manner in which these pubs and hookah parlours are operating. As per the rules, liquor is not allowed to be served at hookah parlours, which is being flouted, many leaders complained.  While addressing these concerns, Mr Fadnavis clarified that the government will regulate hookah parlours. 

Speaking about the misuse of mill land, the chief minister said, “As per the high court’s direction, a committee under the chairmanship of a retired high court judge is beingconstituted.”