Pune News: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which is going after illegal bars, pubs, and restaurants, razed 35 premises, either completely or partially, that were found to be breaking numerous norms and regulations, officials said on Wednesday.

The demolition teams from the PMC, supported by a sizable police presence, began their bulldozing campaign on Tuesday at approximately fifteen sites. On Wednesday, they resumed their campaign at 20 more places throughout the city, all of which flagrantly broke PMC regulations.

Large sections of the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) bar, which hosted a drug party, were demolished by the PMC on Tuesday, sparking a significant political and popular uproar. Major names such Escobar, The Elephant, FML, The Corner Café, Urbi, Filament, Bru Merchant, Native-The Joy, and Vaishali pubs were among those that the PMC targeted on Wednesday.

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Following orders from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde two days ago, civic officials—who have purportedly compiled a list of roughly 100 establishments—indicated that the campaign against various forms of illegalities at these locations will persist in the days ahead.

Ravindra Dhangekar, a Congress MLA from Pune who has virtually single-handedly tracked unauthorised constructions, has demanded to know why the police and civic authorities did not take corrective action sooner, given their knowledge of all the illegalities.

According to the Pune police's response to an RTI filed by Advocate Sameer Shaikh, the bulk of the city's bars, pubs, and discos are run illegally, leaving just 23 establishments that are permitted. The police are currently reviewing every one of these unlicensed establishments.

The government has been urged by the United Hospitality Association of Pune, an industry body, to implement a simplified licensing system for all 3,300 licensed bars, permit rooms, hotels, restaurants, family eateries, fine-dining outlets, pubs, lounges, etc in order to prevent these establishments from being labeled as "illegal" amid the crackdown.