Fact Check: Is It Legal To Drink Alcohol In Gujarat's GIFT City?

About a week following the relaxation of liquor consumption regulations in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) area in Gandhinagar, the state government issued a new set of guidelines on Saturday. These rules are designed for hotels, clubs, or restaurants intending to serve liquor and for their patrons.

Any establishment located in GIFT City seeking an FL-III license must submit an application in Form "A" to the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise in Gandhinagar. Once verified, the Superintendent will forward the proposal with recommendations to the GIFT Facilitation Committee for a decision. Upon Committee approval, the Superintendent will issue the FL-III license as detailed in the government's Gazette notification on Saturday.

The license permits liquor service strictly within the approved "Wine and Dine" facility area. Securing a liquor license for this area necessitates an annual payment of Rs 1 lakh along with a Rs 2 lakh security deposit.

"The license can initially span from one to five years and is renewable for up to five years subsequently. The F.L.-III license fee amounts to Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) per annum, while the security deposit stands at Rs 2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakh) only," the notification clarified.

Additionally, these permits are issued to individuals aged 21 years and above and must adhere to the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949.

The regulations outline a process for Recommending Officers to compile lists of employees seeking Liquor Access Permits (LAP) and submit them to the Authorised Officer. LAP cards will be issued based on the approved employee lists.

Likewise, for visitors, the Recommending Officer will prepare lists of visitors seeking temporary permits, which require accompaniment by an LAP holder from the respective company, organization, or unit within GIFT City.

Temporary Liquor Access Permits will be issued for two years, renewable for an additional two years, at an annual fee of Rs 1000. The permit stands canceled if the holder ceases to be an employee within GIFT City.

Gujarat has upheld prohibition since its establishment in 1960. GIFT City, a premier business district in Gujarat, is designed to accommodate both global and domestic enterprises.

Earlier, on December 22, the Gujarat government authorized the sale and consumption of alcohol in specific forms within the GIFT City area.

The state's official order stated that all employees or owners in GIFT City would receive a Liquor Access Permit, enabling them to consume liquor in designated hotels, restaurants, and clubs offering "Wine and Dine".

A day after this announcement, Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel explained that the decision to allow liquor consumption in GIFT City aimed to socially engage individuals visiting for business purposes. He emphasized the need to align with the lifestyle expectations of business visitors, as the city has expanded and hosts various growing sectors.