Sergei Ovsyannikov about the adopted regional law on “nalivayki”: It meets the spirit of the times and the needs of residents | 24 April 2024, 15:55

“Today, deputies of the regional parliament adopted in two readings a bill regarding limiting the operating hours of liqueurs. Our region has taken advantage of the right granted by federal legislation to establish requirements for the sale of alcoholic beverages in bars, cafes, and buffets, as well as to limit the time for the sale of alcohol in public catering outlets located in apartment buildings and in adjacent areas.

The law is extremely important for our region in general and the city of Saratov in particular. It meets the spirit of the times and the demands of residents, who have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the “liquid drinks.” Drunken revelry, unsanitary conditions in the area adjacent to apartment buildings, and fights are constant companions of such drinking establishments. Saratov residents quite rightly complain about these facts. There was a loophole in the legislation that allowed such establishments to carry out their activities under the guise of catering, but in fact – to sell takeaway alcohol. We were personally convinced of this more than once, participating together with colleagues from the regional Duma in raids on “nalivikaki”.

Today this issue has been put to rest. Now the sale of alcohol in cafes, bars and buffets located in residential buildings is strictly limited in time: from 22.00 to 10.00 – similar to retail stores. I fully share the position of regional deputies on the need to monitor the implementation of this law in the region and, if necessary, to develop by-laws to improve the quality of its application. We are ready to take part in this.”