In Points: Delhi govt's Liquor policy 2021-22 allows walk-in vends and much more

Delhi government has announced the new excise policy for 2021-22 on Monday. The reform aims at boosting revenue and cracking down on the liquor mafia. Under the new excise policy, customerswill now have a walk-in experience at alcohol shops, promoting microbreweries.

• The 2021-22 excise policy also allows bars in hotels, clubs and restaurants to function till 3 am. Bars are allowed to serve Indian or foreign liquor in any area within the licensed premises,including the terrace, balcony or lower area.
• The excise policy notes that Delhi is ranked the 28th most visited city in the world and the first in India by foreign visitors. As per the policy, excise is a critical source of revenuefor the state.
• The walk-in experience will provide customers with a variety of brand options, and the full selection and sale process will take place within the vend premises.

According to the policy, the retail vends will be air-conditioned and have glass doors. Also, the customers will not be allowed to cluster outside vends or on the pavement and buy throughthe counter.

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• According to the policy documents, retail sales in the form of L-7V can be opened in any market, small, commercial streets and areas, local shopping complexes, and other locations.
• Delhi residents would be allowed to fill their bottles or "growlers" with freshly brewed beer from any microbrewery in the city. Microbreweries are permitted to offer draughtbeer to bars.

The policy document stated, “Draught beer shall be allowed to be taken away in bottles or ''growlers''. Microbrewery shall also be allowed to supply to other bars andrestaurants that have a license to serve liquor.”

• The city will have 849 retail liquor vends, including five super-premium retail vends with a minimum carpet area of 2,500 Sq.Ft.

As per excise policy 2021-22, "Super Premium Vends, which will set up a tasting room within the premise, can sell products only above ₹ 200 MRP for beer and above ₹ 1,000Retail price for all other spirits, including but not limited to Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Brandy, etc.”

Also, “Super Premium Vends will need to stock at least 50 imported (B10) liquor brands including wines (BECRS), etc brands in the store.”

• The excise department has introduced Excise Adhesive Labels (EALs) with high-end security features manufactured by Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).This is done to avoid tax evasion and plugging leakages in the supply chain.

Besides, the Delhi government intends to use specula inspection teams and a state-of-the-art lab to combat tax evasion.

• On payment of a one-time annual fee, the government has issued a new license L-38 for banquet halls, party places, farmhouses, motels, wedding/party/event venues that allow them to serveIndian and foreign liquor at any events conducted at their premises.

Previously, such enterprises were required to get a temporary license in the form of a P-10, P-10A, P-11, or P-13 for parties and functions.