Govt to check online liquor sale

The Delhi government is planning to cut down online sale of liquor in the national capital region and has decided to train its guns on companies selling liquor online.

Noting that the city administration has been receiving a number of complaints in this regard, a senior excise official said the department is contemplating strict action against certain vendors and companies that have been alleged trying to sell liquor through their websites in Delhi- NCR. “A number of local liquor vend owners have been complaining about loss of business as some websites are offering an option of ordering alcohol online and getting it delivered at home.”

The official said that not only does this affect the revenues of local liquor kiosks, but also the tax collections. He said that residents can simply log on to these sites or place their order over the phone. “Irrespective of the location, the sites deliver liquor bottles at the customer’s doorstep and the minimum order must be of ` 1,500 and above.”

The administration is now also contemplating to set up a team of officials to monitor such websites. The official said that they have received complaints that about half- a- dozen companies are illegally selling alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, beer, scotch and wines. “Certain promoters of these websites are allegedly the licenced liquor vendors with retail outlets in various parts of the Delhi- NCR.”

The official said that once these companies are zeroed in, the department would first issue a time- bound warning to shut down their online operations. “If the online sales continue despite warning, the department would initiate a strict action against such companies or vendors and a case will also be registered against them.”

Sale of liquor online has not been the only reason affecting the business of local vendors and government revenue, evasion of permit by residents for holding liquor parties in the city was also affecting the tax collections.