And in a bid to generate awareness about drinking with a legal licence, web portal “idhq.in” has offered free liquor permits to the New Year party revelers.

“There are about 1,000 wine shops and bars in Pune where a liquor permit for one day is sold for just Rs five. Still many drinkers do not bother to buy it. So by distributing free liquor permits we actually promoted safe and legal consumption of liquor”, said Dinesh Brid, who runs the portal. “We also have a tie up with the State Excise Department for the purpose”, he said.

Vijay Chinchalkar, Superintendent of State Excise Department, admitted as much. “The portal is having a tie up with various clubs and night spots in the city. They give free one-day liquor permits to anyone who booked party passes from the web portal,” he said.

Chinchalkar said there was nothing illegal as these clubs and nightspots had earlier purchased the liquor permits in a stock from the state excise department after completing the legal procedure.

However, the portal has faced a strong opposition from the activists of IT cell of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). Sujit Shilamkar, President of this IT cell condemned the portal saying that it was promoting drinking culture by offering free liquor permits.

Shilamkar said the portal was advertising top nightspots and has also displayed information like “hangover tips”, which is certainly promoting a bad night culture.

Something that Brid hotly denies. “Our portal idhq.in, which means — India’s Drinking - Out headquarters - has tied up with the best and safest party spots in the city. Also the tips displayed on the portal are mainly the precautions that should be taken for avoiding any mishap after drinking.”