Opening a liquor store is fraught with complexities, the most important of which is the demand for a legal liquor license, which must be obtained by the bartender by meeting certain criteria. Alcohol is always in high demand in a state like Delhi, but it also helps the Delhi government generate a significant amount of revenue. The Delhi cabinet adopted a new excise policy for a new Liquor Shop License on March 29, 2021, with the goal of changing the sale and consumption of liquor. It is aimed to lower the minimum age for drinking alcohol from 25 to 21 years. The method for obtaining a liquor license in Delhi is examined in-depth in this article. delhiexcise.gov.in is the Official Website to apply for a liquor license in Delhi.
The laws and regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcohol differ by the state in India. This is because the issue of alcohol is listed in the Indian Constitution’s Seventh Schedule’s state list. The liquor head is administered by the Delhi Excise Department. According to the latest excise policy update, the government intends to stop the booze purchasing experience from jail-like setups at Delhi government-owned liquor stores.
It will result in a shift in Delhi’s liquor store privatization policy. Furthermore, this article explains how to open a liquor store in Delhi.
Table of Contents
Need for a Liquor License?
The laws and regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcohol differ by the state in India. The reason being, the issue of alcohol is listed in the Indian Constitution’s Seventh Schedule’s state list. The liquor head is administered by the Delhi Excise Department.
India’s Liquor Law
“The State shall endeavor to bring about a prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and substances which are harmful to health, except for medicinal purposes,” says Article 47 of the Indian Constitution. It’s worth noting that alcohol is illegal to sell, buy, or consume in five states around the country.
Different Types of Liquor Available in the Delhi Market
There are two types of liquor available in the market. These are:
- IMFL
- IFL
IMFL – Indian Made Foreign Liquor. This sort of liquor is prepared from strong liquor produced in India.
IFL – This liquor is not of Indian origin. It is made outside of India and then imported into India; it is typically more expensive than IMFL.
Liquor Shop Licenses in Delhi Types
Following are the types of Liquor Shop Licenses in Delhi
- License L1
- License L3
- License L6
- License L9
- License L10
- License P10
- License P13
- License L15 and L16
- License L17 and L18
- License L28
- License L29
License L1 – This license is necessary for wholesale liquor vending to partnerships, corporations, and individuals by an applicant who owns a manufacturing unit.
License L3 – This license serves a unique purpose. It is issued by the state government through a tender process. It is only given to operational bottling plants that have received approval from the central or state authorities.
License L6 – For the retail sale of foreign liquor and beers, this sort of license is needed. An applicant must assume a government undertaking in order for such a license to be issued. DTTDC, DSIDC, DSCSC, and DCCWS, to mention a few.
License L9 – This license, also known as L-52 D, is used for the retail sale of foreign liquor. To obtain this license, a licensee must comply with the state authority’s terms and conditions.
License L10 – It is the same as license L9 in that it allows a user to sell both foreign and Indian liquor in a retail setting, but the terms and conditions of L9 do not apply to L10, therefore a user must apply for a liquor shop license separately.
License P13 – This license is required to serve alcohol at certain functions held in hotels both in and out of state. A licensee must follow the terms and restrictions set forth by the state authorities in order to obtain this type of license.
License L15 and L16 – These licenses allow licensees to offer liquor to tourists in hotels that have been approved by the department of tourism. In order to obtain this type of license, hotel management must follow the rules established by authorities.
Licenses L17 and L18 – These licenses are typically used by hotel management staff to serve liquor in hotels, but only in commercial areas with enough parking, such as shopping malls (offices, complexes); according to government officials.
License L 28 – Those who operated a club were obliged to obtain this license in order to serve liquor only at their establishment. They must abide by the terms and circumstances set forth by the government.
License L29 – This license allows you to serve liquor to the Delhi government. Officials and government employees, the application process for L29 is identical to that for L28.
L10 License in Delhi Importance
You will learn about the license costs that a licensee in Delhi is required to pay for a specific liquor license. Recently, the Delhi government has placed a strong emphasis on the L10 license, which is responsible for the retail sale of liquor in the city. An application for a liquor store license must meet the specified criteria and requirements, as well as the attached appropriate document, in order to complete the formalities. The online application for the L10 license can be made using the Oficial Website i.e. delhiexcise.gov.in
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Delhi [L-10] Liquor Shop License @delhiexcise.gov.in
Following are the eligibility criteria to apply for Liquor Shop License in Delhi [L-10].
- Companies who are incorporated under the 1956 Company Act are eligible to apply for the license.
- The Partnership Act of 1932 was used to register the partnership firm.
- Cooperative societies that have been registered under the applicable co-operative societies act are eligible to apply for the license.
- Sole-proprietorship are also eligible to apply for the license.
Exceptional Cases
There are few exceptional cases in which licenses cannot be granted. Those exceptions are given below:
- A cooperative societies, partnership company, and companies will each be issued one licence. Above all, they will not be allowed to possess multiple licences.
- If the only proprietor is a family member, the licence will be awarded to that family member, and no other family members will be allowed to obtain another Liquor Shop licence (L10). Furthermore, the public sector is exempt from these rules.
- A holder of an L-10 licence is prohibited from applying for any other wholesale or retail licence. Furthermore, the public sector is exempt from this condition.
License of Delhi Liquor Shop Documents Needed
Following are the important documents that applicants must keep in hand while applying for the Delhi liquor shop license.
- Photograph of the candidate.
- Identity proof of an applicant
- Applicant’s address proof
- Shop lawful possession proof such as lease agreement/rent, etc
- Layout plan of the shop
- NOC from the state Municipal Corporationandfire department.
- An application, as well as personal and business information, must be attached by the applicant.
- The applicant need to send latest copy of the Income Tax Clearance Certificate &ITR Filing.
- An affidavit stating that the applicant has no criminal background is required.
- Different affidavits in the name of the applicant.
Liquor Shop License in Delhi Online @delhiexcise.gov.in
To give liquor permits to its inhabitants, the Delhi government has launched an online service and delhiexcise.gov.in is the official website for this online process. Following is the online procedure for the application process for Liquor shop License in Delhi:
- First of all, go to the official website of ‘Department of Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax, Govt. of Delhi’ i.e. delhiexcise.gov.in
- On the home page, login to the portal by entering your user name and password. However any applicant who are using it for the first time must register first. Registration is done by clicking on the ‘Register’ option and fill the required details.
- After successfully login to the portal, select the application form and then enter the details.
- After filling all the details, click on the ‘submit’ option.
- Officials will undertake adequate verification based on the request for the type of licence, following which the certificate will be provided.
An applicant must submit the following documents in addition to the following application –
- An application for a liquor shop licence must be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Delhi, along with the required documents.
- Proof of legitimate possession of the proposed shop in the form of an ownership/lease/rental document is required.
- An affidavit stating that the applicant is in real physical possession of the shop for which he has applied for an L10 licence is required.
- A licensee is required to present a layout plan of his liquor store that clearly demonstrates his ownership.
- An income tax clearance certificate and a Domicile certificate stating that the licensee is a resident of the state in which he has applied for a liquor shop licence are required for a liquor shop licence.
- A licensee must provide an 8 lakh DD in the name of the deputy commissioner after completing the formalities (excise).
- According to Rule 23 of the Delhi excise regulations, 2010, an applicant must be assured that nothing is against the application.
- After the excise department’s requirements are completed, the liquor shop licence will be awarded.
Registration and License Requirement for Delhi Liquor License
Trade License: A trade license is a document that allows a company to start a free flow of trade within a specific territory on the same side. A trading license from the municipal authorities, such as the MCD or NDMC, is required.
Registration for the Value Added Tax: A licensee’s VAT registration is required to pay the liquor shop sales tax, for which an applicant must apply to the Delhi VAT department and get a VAT registration license.
Registration of a Trademark: Trademark registration will provide you an identity that will help you represent your company and products more effectively. It is necessary to register your company under the Trademark Act of 1999.
The Delhi Fire Department must provide a no-objection certificate: The no-objection certificate (NOC) enables a licensee to legally open their permitted shop in a state-designated by local authorities.
Minimum Carpet Area for a Liquor Store in Delhi
In retail malls located on commercial plots (which must be granted by local authorities e.g. MCD/NDMC) or shopping complexes at airports, the L10 license holder must be in real physical possession of a store minimum area of 500 sq. ft. or above carpet area.
The retail mall must be air-conditioned and centralized, either in a single structure with interconnected walkways on the same or various floors with common passage areas or in a collection of buildings with interconnected walkways on the same or different floors with common transit areas. Shopping malls should have a parking space in the foyer or atrium.
Delhi Liquor Store Licence Cost
For their prospective shop, eligible licensees can apply for an L10 license. Fees and a security deposit are required to be paid:-
- The annual charge for the L10 licence is Rs 8, 00,000/-, which is payable to the Deputy Commissioner by the licensee.
- For L10, a licensee must submit a security deposit of Rs 10, 00,000/- in the name of the deputy commissioner.
- When a licence is terminated, a portion of the security charge is repaid to the licence holder within 30 days after the termination date.
- If an applicant fails to complete the formalities or is not discovered in physical possession of the shop within one year of receiving the licence, the licence will be revoked. The Rs 8 lakh licence cost will be increased.
Restricted Regionto Open a Liquor Store
There are some restrictions and procedures for opening a liquor business in Delhi, according to the state administration. A liquor store should not be in close proximity to any residential zones.
To maintain a sense of decorum, no liquor outlet should be located within municipal corporations and municipalities within 50–100 meters of any existing house of worship or educational institutions.
Interior Design Guidelines for Liquor Stores as Per Delhi Government Regulation
The selected applicant must present an interior plan of their planned shop that includes the points listed below.
- The establishment should be fully insured against fire and natural disasters, according to the licensee. With the directions given by the excise commissioner, the same shall keep the shop clean and dry.
- The shop floor should be set up in such a way that liquor brands can be displayed alongside their price tags.
- The shop’s interior should be constructed with suitable lighting, flooring, and hygiene in mind.
Delhi Government’s Liquor Shop Licensing Rules
According to the government of the NCT of Delhi, an L10 license would be granted on a first-come, first-served basis for the retail trade of both Indian and international liquor in Delhi’s shopping malls. If the application is determined to be fake, incomplete, or in violation of the terms and conditions, it will be scrutinized. The same will be refused, and the commissioner of excise’s decision will be final.
If an application is rejected, the earnest money must be returned to the applicant by registered mail within 30 days of the rejection date. The application is verified by the relevant authority, which has the ability to accept or reject the application without providing a reason. The licensing authority is not obligated to grant any of the licenses for which an application has been submitted.
Pricing Regulations for Liquor Retail Sales in Delhi
Each brand of liquor must be sold at the prescribed price set by an Excise commissioner by the L10 license holder. As a result, any overcharging or undercharging of liquor brands will result in the license being revoked.
Hours of Operation for a Retail Liquor Store in Delhi
The government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has established a policy that establishes a set of hours for the retail sale of liquor in Delhi. The shop is permitted to operate from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
FAQ’S
Renewal of a license is required every year by paying the proper amount through the official website i.e. delhiexcise.gov.in
A liquor license can be revoked if the licensee breaks any of the authority’s rules. Additionally, licensees that sell alcohol on dry days or to minors will have their licenses revoked.
The Delhi administration has established “dry days,” which are to be observed. In the event that the number of dry days during the licensing period increases, the owner of an L10 license will not be offered any relief or compensation.
Every liquor store in Delhi is required to use the government’s ESCIMS barcode system for billing.
The L10 licensee must issue a receipt/bill for each transaction of liquor sale.
The barcode on a given brand will preserve a digital record of the number/batch number of liquor brands sold, as well as their price.
The bill/receipt must include the following information: Name of the L10 licensee holder
The customer’s name and address.
A liquor brand’s name, amount, and batch number.
The date of the sale.