The Delhi Government is working towards providing round-the-clock permit to restaurants and bars in the national Capital to serve liquor. The proposed 2016-17 Excise Policy — to be approved by the Delhi Cabinet soon — will enable owners of bars, restaurants and five star hotels and above to run their business 24x7 in the national Capital.
As per proposed Excise Policy 2016-17, the Excise Department has proposed to rationalise the annual fee for hotels and restaurants to serve liquor round the clock.
There are 150 hotels and restaurants having five star and above rating in Delhi but only 13 have liquor license to serve 24x7 liquor.
Opposing the Government’s move, leader of Opposition and BJP leader Vijendra Gupta said it is being done in the garb of promoting tourism and encouraging night life. “This is being done notwithstanding the fact that it will adversely affect the social fabric of the city and create law and order problem which is already a matter of deep concern,” said Gupta, adding even women dare not remain out after nightfall.
Asked if the city’s bars and restaurants will be allowed to run 24x7, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said, “Yes, we are working for round-the-clock permit for businesses. I believe that there will be less crime when shops will be open for longer duration.”
The Minister said the Government was in talks with shopkeepers, restaurant owners, police, labour Department and other stakeholders in this regard. “A final shape will be given to this proposal only after consultation with all stakeholders,” Mishra said on the sidelines of an event.
Earlier, the 24x7 license to serve liquor was not too popular as it attracted an annual fee of `40 lakh for restaurants and bars in hotels that were above five-star.
These hotels did not have too many visitors through the night and, therefore, did not find the licence necessary. In the new policy, the excise department has proposed to slash the licence fee.
It has also proposed doing away with prerequisites for a 24-hour excise licence, to serve alcohol in restaurants, such as a tourism licence, police registration and fire clearance. The proposed policy is aimed at encouraging more and more restaurants located in seven-star and five-star hotels and motels to run round-the-clock. This, authorities feel, will aid tourism and enhance the restaurant business.