Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24: Corporate Offices Allowed To Serve Beer, Wine At Workplaces

The Haryana Government has approved the 2023-24 excise policy, under which corporate offices can serve low-content alcohol drinks like beer and wine among employees and guests.

As per the new excise policy that will come into effect in Haryana from June 12, possession and consumption of beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages by the employees in a corporate office having at least 5,000 employees and a minimum covered area of one lakh-square feet in single premises, self-owned or leased, will be allowed.

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Who are eligible?

For the provisions regarding procuring liquor licence (L-10F licence) in the corporate offices, the minimum area of canteen or eatery in the office should not be less than 2,000-square feet.

"The procedure for grant of licence (L-10F) shall be as applicable to the bar licences. The licence shall be granted on payment of an annual fixed fee of Rs 10 lakh on terms and conditions specified by the excise and taxation commissioner," said the policy.

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How to obtain licence?

The L-10F licence will be granted by the collector (excise), with the approval of the excise and taxation commissioner. It will be renewed by the district's deputy excise and taxation commissioner on behalf of the collector (excise).

A security amount of Rs3 lakh will also have to be paid by the licencee in addition to the licence fee. "The licenced premises shall not be a thoroughfare or connected to any area frequented by the public," the policy stated.

First time in India

This is for the first time in India a state has allowed serving low-content alcohol drinks in corporate offices.

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The move will likely benefit private-sector employees in Gurugram the most as the Millennium City is home to some of the biggest Corporate offices and startups.

Licence fee for pubs reduced

Apart from this, the licence fee for the pub category for the consumption of beer and wine only has been reduced further in the Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24.

To curb pilferage of liquor by wholesale licensees, the penalty provisions have been made stringent. There will be a complete ban on liquor promotion advertisements on various platforms by the licensee, including social media.

In the new policy, the limit of the maximum number of retail liquor vends in the state has been reduced successively from 2,500 to 2,400 in 2023-24. In 2022-23 it was reduced from 2,600 to 2,500.

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