Bars To Open Till 3 am, Discounts On Booze: Here's All About Delhi's New Liquor Policy

Calling the existing liquor policy 'archaic' and 'cumbersome', the Delhi govt made public the new Excise Policy 2021-22. The new policy document points to excise as an important source of revenue while noting that the present excise revenue generation is at a sub-optimal level.

Aimed at boosting the city's revenue, the Delhi government has introduced new changes counting from walk-in experience for customers at alcohol shops, discounts on MRP, promoting microbreweries to the extension of the timing of bars in hotels, clubs, and restaurants.

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Key highlights of new policy

Here are the main highlights of the liquor policy approved by the Delhi government in May:

- Under the new system, the government will be out of retail liquor trade, paving the way for closure of state-run shops and promoting private players in the national capital.

About draught beer

- The policy allows microbreweries to supply draught beer to bars and also provide takeaway services. ¡°Wherever draught beer is being served as a takeaway, clear signage and information will be needed to put up about its short shelf life and the bottles will have to mention the expiry date clearly,¡± the policy document said.

- Draught beer shall also be allowed to be served at permitted events, banquet halls that have temporary licences such as P-10, P-10E etc. The policy clearly states that establishments found selling draught beer ¡°after its expiry date will immediately have its license revoked¡±.

- Delhiites will also be able to fill their bottles or 'growlers' with freshly brewed beer from any microbrewery in the city.

BCCL

About vends

- Every liquor outlet in the city will provide a walk-in experience to its customers who will have multiple choices of brands, and the entire selection and sale process will be completed within the vend premise.

- Such retail vends that will be air-conditioned will have glass doors. Customers are strictly prohibited to crowd outside a vend or in the pavement and buy through the counter, it stated.

BCCL

About timings & pricing

- As part of the new reforms, the bars in hotels, restaurants and clubs have been allowed to operate till 3 am except those licensees which have been given license to operate round the clock service of liquor.

- 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. "Super Premium Vends, which will set up a tasting room within the premise, can sell products only above ?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. Super Premium Vends will need to stock at least 50 imported (B10) liquor brands including wines (BECRS) etc. brands in the store," the policy document stated.

(Representative Image: Reuters)

- The price of liquor brands will be decided after taking inputs from the retail stores and taking into account the price of the product in the neighboring states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan, says the policy document. Liquor prices are significantly cheaper in Haryana as compared to Delhi, leading to rampant smuggling.

- The licensee is free to give concession, rebate, or discount on the MRP. Currently, liquor store owners in Delhi cannot offer any rebates on the MRP of brands.

About legal drinking age

- It, however, made no mention about reducing the legal drinking age from 25 years to 21 years.

PTI

- The excise policy also recommends serving of liquor in open spaces such as terrace, balcony at licenced hotels and restaurants. With the new policy, the Delhi government expects its revenue to grow by 20 per cent in a year.