Gujarat government lifts ban on liquor in GIFT City; allows wine-and-dine facilities
Congress, AAP slam Gujarat's BJP govt over decision
Ahmedabad, Dec 23: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress on Saturday clashed over the Gujarat government's decision a day earlier to allow liquor in GIFT City, which partially overturned the state's strict prohibition policy.
The state government, on Friday, lifted the ban on liquor in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City with the aim of providing a "global ecosystem".
While the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party said it was an unfortunate decision that will ruin the youth, the BJP said it would provide proper environment for the development of business in the region.
"This is a very unfortunate decision. The BJP government wants to lift prohibition in the state and they have started it with GIFT city. Tomorrow they will say they want to lift liquor ban at the Statue of Unity (in Kevadia) and Tent City of Dhordo in Kutch to attract tourists as well as the Surat Diamond Bourse," Leader of Opposition Amit Chavda said.
"This will ruin the youth. Those who drink and come out of GIFT City will cause accidents and may harm our women. Do they (government) think lifting the liquor ban will attract investment," he questioned.
Congress MLA Ganiben Thakor said the decision must be withdrawn immediately in order to maintain law and order, dignity of women, adding that people will go to GIFT City to drink instead of going outside Gujarat.
Umesh Makwana, the AAP MLA from Botad, wrote to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking withdrawal of the decision to lift prohibition in GIFT City.
Countering these arguments, state minister Rushikesh Patel said the decision was taken for industry players who are coming from outside the state.
"This is a decision to provide same lifestyle to business leaders that they are used to in places where there is no liquor ban. Many foreign companies that have come to GIFT City are part of (Fortune) 500 plus companies. Let the Congress say what they want to but they will later understand the importance of this decision," Patel asserted.
In a statement on Friday, the Gujarat prohibition department had said GIFT City has emerged as a global financial and technological hub which is bustling with economic activities.
"An important decision has been taken on Friday to change rules to allow 'wine and dine' facilities in the GIFT City area to provide a global business ecosystem to global investors, technical experts and national and international companies," it said.
Under the new system, hotels, restaurants and clubs (existing and that will come up) in the GIFT City area will be given permits for wine and dine facilities, but they will not be allowed to sell liquor bottles to people, the statement pointed out.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
2025-26 academic calendar for universities, colleges announced
Bengaluru: The Department of Higher Education has released the academic calendar for the 2025-26 academic year for public and private universities and affiliated colleges under its jurisdiction. The academic and coordination schedule for 2025-26 will commence in October 2024 and conclude by April 2025. Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar has approved the calendar.
The coordination process for undergraduate and postgraduate non-professional degree programs under the universities will begin on October 25, with November 15 being the last date for colleges to submit applications. The coordination process will conclude by March 31, 2025.
For universities, government-aided colleges, and private colleges under the Higher Education Department (excluding technical education), admissions to the first semester of undergraduate courses will start on April 15, 2025. Classes for all semesters will be conducted from June 9 to September 26. Examinations and semester breaks are scheduled from September 29 to November 10, and colleges will reopen on November 12. The academic year will end on April 6, 2026.
For postgraduate programs, admissions to the first semester will begin on August 19, 2025. Classes will run from September 1 to December 19. Examinations and semester breaks are scheduled from December 23, 2025, to February 2, 2026, and colleges will reopen on March 3, 2026. The postgraduate academic year will conclude on August 10, 2026.
Key dates for CET and PGCET
The Common Entrance Test (CET) for professional undergraduate courses like B.E., B.Tech, and B.Arch will be conducted on April 18 and 19, 2025, with results announced on May 28. The first round of counseling is scheduled for June 25, the second round on July 10, and the final round on July 25, with classes set to commence on August 1.
For postgraduate programs like MBA, MCA, M.Tech, and M.Arch, the Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) will be held on June 30, 2025, and results will be declared on August 5. The first round of counseling will take place on August 26, and the second round on September 4.
