Delhi Excise puts curbs on liquor stocks in bars & restaurants

All stocks of alcoholic beverages transferred from store room to the bar counter must be sold within three days, says a Delhi government order. Cheaper liquor brands which are priced under Rs 1,500 must be cleared within five days, says the order.

However, brands costing up to Rs 6,000 have been allowed eight days to be cleared, according to the notification of the National Capital Territory government, issued on 26 th August.

This move comes after multiple raids that resulted in heavy fines and even cancellation of licences and blacklisting of the restaurants in the recent past.

The notice reads: “It has been brought to the notice of this department that this practice of not following First In First Out and keeping liquor bottles at the bar counter for a duration beyond their normal period of consumption has potential for misuse through refilling/ adulteration.

Department has also received complaints in this regard. The matter has, therefore, been reviewed.

After the expiry of the period, according to the directive, the stocks have to be destroyed within seven days and inventory should be maintained of such stocks.

The order comes into effect on 31 st August, at 10 am.