In the midst of COVID-19 restrictions and a city-wide lockdown, the Delhi government has made a significant announcement: permitting home delivery of both, Indian and foreign alcohol brands. By Presha Mahajan
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With the amendment of Delhi Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2021, the excise policies surrounding the trade of alcohol in the city, people can now place orders for alcohol home delivery through mobile apps or online websites and portals. This step comes as a measure to prevent huge crowds and long queues at liquor outlets seen frequently in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions.
However, the amendment comes with conditions. “The licensee shall make delivery of liquor at the residences only if the order is received through a mobile app or online web portal and no delivery shall be made to any hostel, office and institution,” the government notification clarified, reports NDTV.
Moreover, the revised rules will not be applicable to every trader across the city. Instead, only those stores possessing the L-13 license will be authorised to deliver alcohol.
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Although home deliveries were not necessarily barred earlier, L-13 license holders were only allowed to undertake them if residents requested orders via fax or mail. This license category, therefore, is not new. Despite the provision of home delivery facilities in the older 2010 excise policy, the process was never brought into action.
In related news, independent restaurants and clubs with attached hotels will now be permitted to serve alcohol in open areas and spaces such as terraces, courtyards and balconies.
During lockdown last year, a special “corona fee” was imposed on liquor, but was eventually withdrawn due to its negative effect on sales. In March, Deputy CM of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, lowered the legal drinking age in the city from 25 to 21, hoping to prod up revenue. Then, he also mentioned that new liquor stores will not be established by the state government.
Notably, the national capital oversaw an insidious spike in COVID-19 cases and subsequently went into lockdown in April. Since then, a significant dip has been recorded. While the lockdown has been extended till June 07, CM Arvind Kejriwal intends to ease these restrictions gradually.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: These Free Virtual Alcohol Tasting Parties Are All The Weekend Plans You Need During Lockdown
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