understand what is in the new rule in 15 points?
After the implementation of the new excise policy in Delhi, all private liquor shops will be closed from tomorrow i.e. from October 1. The new license holders will start retailing liquor from November 17, although state-run liquor shops will remain open during this period.
- All private liquor shops will be closed from October 1
- State government-run liquor shops will remain open
- New license holders will start retail sale of liquor from November 17
New Delhi: After the implementation of the new excise policy in the national capital Delhi, all private liquor shops will be closed from tomorrow i.e. from October 1. Under the new excise policy of the Delhi government, all 850 liquor shops, including 266 private liquor shops, have been given to private companies through tenders. The new license holders will start the retail sale of liquor from November 17. However, state-run liquor shops will remain open during this period, which will be closed after November 16.
- What will change in the new excise policy
1. The new policy aims at improving the customer experience, curbing the liquor mafia and improving the liquor business in the national capital by eliminating piracy.
2. Under the new excise policy, the Delhi government wants to ensure equitable distribution across the city by dividing the liquor shops into 32 zones.
3. According to the new policy, 8-10 wards have been included in a zone and there will be about 27 liquor shops in each zone. At present, some wards have more than 10 liquor shops, while some wards have no shops.
4. Under the new excise policy, from November 17, retailers will be free to fix the selling price in a competitive environment instead of selling liquor at MRP rates.
5. The MRP will be decided by the Excise Commissioner through a consultative mechanism. The wholesale price will be determined through a mathematical formula. At the same time, the retail price will be done on the basis of competition.
6. Under the new excise policy, the Delhi government is expected to get revenue of about Rs 10 thousand crore from the bidding of liquor shops.
7. The Delhi government has said that the age of selling or serving liquor should be commensurate with the age of neighboring states, where the legal drinking age is already 21 years.
8. According to the new policy, liquor shops will have to have good lighting and glass doors with air condition. There will be CCTV cameras installed outside and inside the shop and a month’s recording will have to be kept.
9. The new policy for Hotels, Clubs and Restaurants (HCR) may do away with the requirement of obtaining multiple licenses before granting bar licenses. Instead, only a fire NOC would be required to obtain a bar license. The licensees of HCR shall be permitted to serve any Indian and foreign liquor in any area within the licensed premises subject to the condition that the area serving liquor is kept closed to the public.
10. The new excise policy states that the licensee will have to make adequate security arrangements. It will be their responsibility to maintain order. It will be the responsibility of the shopkeeper to make complete security arrangements around the shop. If the shop causes nuisance to the neighborhood and the government receives a complaint, the license of that vendor will be cancelled.
11. According to the new excise policy, every retail liquor seller will give such facilities to the customers, so that they can come and go with the goods easily. They have to prepare shops accordingly. Now long queues or overcrowding of customers will not be allowed outside the shops.
12. According to the new excise policy, retail shops (L-7V) of country and foreign liquor can be opened anywhere in any market, mall, commercial areas, local shopping complex. Under the policy, the Delhi government has issued tenders for L-7V license for 32 areas
13. Under the new reforms, bars in hotels, restaurants and clubs have been allowed to operate till 3 pm. These do not include licensees who have been given a license to sell liquor round the clock.
14. Home delivery of liquor is not mentioned in the policy document
15. Under the new excise policy of Delhi, it has been decided to promote small factories making beer. Under this, Delhiites can now take fresh draft (open) beer from these small units. Under the policy, small factories making beer have been allowed to supply to bars and restaurants.