Siliguri, Nov. 30: The district magistrate of Jalpaiguri has shot off a set of instructions to owners of eight bars located in the district to check “unwanted activities” on its premises.

Of the eight bars, seven are located in Siliguri town and one in Jalpaiguri.

In a circular (memo no-1736 (8)/E) issued to the eight bars on November 27, district magistrate Vandana Yadav said under no circumstances liquor should be sold after midnight (12am) on the licensed premises or in the bars as directed in a notification of the state excise department.

Norms regarding noise pollution should be strictly complied with by those running the bars and having the permission for song, dance and playing music for entertainment.

Yadav, in a bid to ensure appropriate security in the bars where people hang out till midnight, has instructed the owners to install close circuit televisions and metal detectors at all the entry points within two weeks on their premises.

“As and when desired by the district administration, 48 hours recorded footage shall have to be provided by the licensee,” the circular reads.

The district magistrate has asked the owners to submit a copy of photo identity proofs and residential certificates of all performers to the officer-in-charge of excise department in Jalpaiguri within a fortnight to keep tabs on those who sing, dance or play music at the bars located on Sevoke Road and in Salugara.

“The attendance for all the regular performers to be maintained by the licensee with date and time in a register,” says the circular.

Yadav has warned that if the licence-holders do not comply with the guidelines, the permission granted to them for professional entertainment may be revoked.

“We got complaints from some elderly citizens over noise pollution. There were also reports of some unwanted activities happening in some of these bars,” the district magistrate said today. “We thought of framing and circulating these specific set of guidelines to prevent any untoward incident.”

The North Bengal Musical Bar Owners’ Association has welcomed the administration’s move.

“These guidelines will not only help maintaining peace and tranquillity of the areas where our bars are located, but will also enable us to do our business in a smooth and lawful way,” said Devinder Singh Chhabra, the association secretary. “The musical performance we arrange promotes our business, given the emergence of Siliguri as a metropolis, and also generates employment for hundreds of people in a legal way.”

According to him, a bar here employs around 100-125 people as musicians, singers, dancers and other staff. “We will strictly adhere to the guidelines and ensure that the activity does not create any problem,” Chhabra said.