Delhi Government Warns Against Liquor Sale Timing Violations

The Delhi government has issued a stern warning to hotels, clubs, and restaurants serving liquor beyond the permitted hours. They have been directed to comply with the rules or face punitive measures. The Excise Department communicated this directive to all excise licensees, including L-15/L15F, L-16/L16F, L17/17F, L-18/L18F, L19/19F, L-28/L28F, and L29/29F.

The communication emphasised adherence to Rule 551 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010. This rule outlines the working hours and conditions for selling liquor. All licensees must follow the prescribed timings and other terms and conditions as per the rules.

Enforcement and Inspections

Excise officials reported that enforcement teams have found numerous instances of timing violations during inspections. These violations are taken very seriously by the authorities. The communication from the Excise Department stated that non-compliance could lead to punitive action under the Delhi Excise Act 2009 and its associated rules.

Currently, clubs and restaurants serving liquor are allowed to operate until 1 am. There was a proposal to extend this timing to 3 am under a new excise policy, but it was later scrapped. In the past, Delhi Police opposed extending the operating hours for hotels, clubs, and restaurants due to law and order and security concerns.

CCTV Camera Compliance

The officials also instructed excise licensees to ensure that CCTV cameras at licensed premises are always operational. This measure is crucial for enforcement teams to verify facts through footage when violations occur. Often, excuses are made when violations are caught, making it difficult to verify facts without CCTV footage.

The government’s directive aims to ensure strict compliance with the rules governing the sale of liquor in Delhi. Licensees must adhere to these regulations to avoid facing punitive actions from the authorities.

This move by the Delhi government underscores its commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring that businesses operate within legal boundaries.