The Maharashtra government is considering extending timings of the bar counters at star hotels especially to facilitate foreign tourists, a senior state excise official said. "A proposal has been given by the star hotels to extend the timings of the bar counter till 3 AM so that they can serve refreshments to the foreign tourists," the official said.

The excise department has forwarded the proposal to the department of law and judiciary to check legal angles involved in sanctioning such proposal, he said. Asked if it would create any law and order problem, the official said, "Indeed it will help the foreigners who arrive late from abroad to have their dinner." The exemption, if granted, will, however, would not be applicable to ordinary bars, he said.