The experience of buying liquor in Delhi is about to change to a great extent. Delhi government has made the city’s new excise policy 2021-2022 public.
The details about the policy were uploaded on the website on Monday evening after a hearing on petition filed by liquor traders’ association of the national capital.
Priority of new policy:
Aimed at boosting the city’s revenue, the govt has introduced new changes. The priority of the new policy is to promote consumer choice and availability of popular as well as niche brands. Government also aims to curb smuggling and bootlegging and ensure adequate spread of retail vends in Delhi to leave no area unserved or underserved.
Highlights of new liquor policy:
As per the police, Bars in hotels, restaurants and clubs are allowed to operate till 3 am except for those licensees which have been given license to operate service of liquor round the clock.
Bars are permitted to play any type of entertainment or performance
Bars have also been permitted to play any type of entertainment or performance, including music and musical instruments, dancing or singing by professionals or deejays, live bands and karaoke on its premises. There will be no restriction on the shelf life of opened liquor bottles at the bar counter.
No crowding
It stated that cramped and dingy liquor vends with people shoving and pushing outside will be replaced by spacious and air-conditioned stores across the city with walk-in facility for customers.
People of Delhi will also be able to fill their bottles or ‘growlers’ with freshly brewed beer from any microbrewery in the city. The policy allows microbreweries to supply draught beer to bars.
849 liquor vends in City
The number of retail liquor vends will be 849 in the city, including five super-premium retail vends that will have a minimum carpet area of 2,500 Sq.Ft
Along with this, the policy document states that retail sales in the form of L-7V (Indian and Foreign Liquor) can be opened in any market, mall, commercial streets and areas, local shopping complex and other places.
Super premium vends
Super Premium Vends, which will set up a tasting room within the premise, can sell products only above Rs 200 MRP for beer and above Rs. 1,000 Retail price for all other spirits, including but not limited to Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Brandy, etc.
Introduction of new license
The government has introduced a new license L-38 for banquet halls, party places, farmhouses, motels, wedding/party/event venues with permission to serve Indian and Foreign liquor in all the parties hosted at their premises on payment of a one-time annual fee.
Until now, such establishments were required to avail temporary license in form of P-10, P-10A, P-11 & P-13 for parties and functions organised.
