Shivakumar appeals for calm as Karnataka extends hotel timings for FIFA final

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged football fans to celebrate peacefully during the FIFA World Cup final after the government permitted hotels and restaurants to remain open until 3.30 am. He also reviewed the state's drought preparedness and drinking water measures

Bengaluru: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to football fans across Karnataka to maintain peace and exercise restraint while watching the FIFA World Cup final, for which the state government has granted special permission to hotels and restaurants to remain open until 3.30 am.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the decision was taken in response to requests from young football enthusiasts eager to watch the final match.
“Police have installed cameras at various locations. Regardless of which team wins, youngsters must remain calm and enjoy the game peacefully,” the Chief Minister said.

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He urged fans not to lose their composure during celebrations and emphasised the need for responsible conduct during the late-night screenings.

It can be recalled that the Karnataka government allowed hotels and restaurants in the city to extend food service till 3.30 am on July 14, 15 and 19 to watch the final round of the FIFA World Cup. CM Shivakumar stated that the relaxation was granted while ensuring public safety and law and order.

The relaxation follows a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). Under existing excise and city regulations, liquor service in Bengaluru is generally permitted only until 1 am, limiting late-night screenings of FIFA matches, many of which continue well beyond that time for Indian viewers.

Talking about the drought situation, Shivakumar also highlighted the state’s preparedness to tackle the prevailing drought situation, stating that there are no holidays for ministers, district administrations, and the police during such challenging times.

“For us, there is no concept of Sunday or holidays. Ministers, Deputy Commissioners, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats, and police personnel have to work round the clock. We are holding video conferences with Deputy Commissioners and CEOs to review drought preparedness measures,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the government has already made arrangements to release Rs 1 crore for each taluk to address drinking water requirements in view of the drought conditions.

Karnataka is currently witnessing concerns over an anticipated drought, prompting the state government to intensify preparations to ensure adequate drinking water supply and effective disaster management measures across districts.