LIFETIME LIQUOR LICENCE HIKED TO ₹20K,156 BOTTLES ALLOWED TO BE KEPT AT HOME

GURUGRAM: The fee for lifetime liquor licence (essentially for mini bars at home) has been increased to ₹20,000 in the new excise policy announced by the Haryana government on Friday.

Excise officials said the step was taken as there has been an increase in the number of residents, who want to set up home bars. The annual home bar liquor licence fee has also been increased to ₹2,500 from ₹1,500 per year.

V K Beniwal, deputy commissioner of excise and taxation, Gurugram (east), said despite Covid-19 raging last year, 51 lifetime liquor licences were issued, each for ₹10,000. “As part of the new policy, the fee has been increased but so has the quota. Earlier, only 12 bottles of imported foreign liquor (IFL) were allowed in the mini bar but now that has been increased to 24. Similarly, beer, vodka, gin, and other alcoholic beverages has also been increased to 24,” he said.

Beniwal said residents can avail a lifetime liquor licence and keep 156 liquor bottles of different varieties for a fee of ₹20,000. Earlier, residents were allowed to keep only 108 bottles. The minimum age required to obtain a lifetime liquor licence is 25 years.

Residents will be able to apply for the lifetime liquor licence online after June 12, said officials. The licence is granted by the deputy excise and taxation commissioner (DETC) after making the one-time payment.

Many residents in Gurugram are not aware that they have to obtain a licence for keeping a large amount of liquor at home. Excise officials said it is better to seek permission for keeping a large volume of liquor at home or for consumption in parties as no one can be harassed. “Our idea is not to encourage people to keep the stock or consume liquor at home but to keep the stock with the permission of the department.” said Beniwal.

Chirag Gehlot, a resident of Sector 56, said he applied for the lifetime license and got it within two days last year. “It is safer to have this licence if one plans to organise a party with friends. Many times, neighbours complain about liquor and parties, following which police teams come and check if anyone has excess liquor bottles. I faced a similar issue and this licence saved me,” he said.

Vishal Kumar, a resident of Sohna Road, said that it is easy to transport liquor stock if one has a liquor licence of minibar. “Even if one is transporting more than 30 bottles, it is safe as long as one has the licence. If any cop stops you and checks the vehicle, they cannot harass you.”