Delhi Liquor Licence Rules, 1976

These rules may be called the Delhi Liquor Licence Rules, 1976. These rules shall come into
force at once.

Form Details of Licences

I -- Indian Made Foreign Liquor

L-1 Wholesale licensee of Indian Made Foreign Liquor

L-2 Retail vend of Indian Made Foreign Liquor/Beer.

L-3 Service of liquor in a hotel (to the residents in their rooms).

L-4 It is granted to independent restaurants for service of liquor.

L-5 Service of liquor (IMFL & FL) in a bar/restaurant attached to a hotel.

L-5A Retail vend of foreign liquor in a bar/dining car in a luxury train.

L-6 Retail vend of Indian Made Foreign Liquor in duty free shop.

L-6A Retail vend of foreign liquor in duty free shops off the premises.

L-7 Retail vend of Indian Made Foreign Liquor in a military canteen.

 II - Country Liquor

L-9 Wholesale licensee of country liquor.

L-10 Retail vend of country liquor and 50 degree under proof rum for consumption "off"
the premises.

III - Denatured & Special Denatured Spirit

L-11 Wholesale and/ or retails vend of denatured spirit to public only.

L-12 Wholesale vend of denatured spirit to trade only.

L-13 Bonded warehouse licence for import and storage in bond of denatured spirit for
wholesale to trade only.

L-14 Bonded warehouse licence for import and storage of in bond of special denatured
spirit.

IV - Rectified Spirit

L-15 Retail vend of rectified spirit to public only.

L-16 Wholesale vend of rectified spirit to trade only.

L-17 Bonded warehouse licence for import in bond and storage of rectified spirit for
wholesale to trade only.
 V Special

L-18 Extension of hours during which sale is permitted.

L-19 Retail vend of foreign liquor at a club (bonafide or proprietary).

L-19A for service of liquor in bars/restaurants in a club whose membership is restricted to

Govt.servants only

L-20 temporary arrangements for service of liquor are required inside the licensed
premises of L-3, L-4, L-5, L-19 and L-19 A

L-49 Permits for possessing more than the individual possession limit approved

L-49A Service of liquor in a party hosted anywhere in Delhi

L-52 Private owned retail liquor vends

L-53 license for retail sale of beer and mixed alcoholic beverages in departmental stores

SOME FACTS ABOUT LIQUOR

 Liquor is a liquid intoxicant, deriving its intoxicating potency from the ethyl alcohol in
it. Liquor can be divided into three broad categories, namely Indian Made Foreign
Liquor (IMFL), Beer and Country Liquor. Hard liquors broadly have an alcohol content
of and above 20% and denote Whisky, Rum, Brandy, the white spirits like Gin and
Vodka and also include Country Liquor. Soft liquors have a range of 4-20% of alcohol
and include Beer, Cidar, Wines and Liqueurs.

Liquor making starts with the process of fermentation, followed by brewing or

distillation, latter in case of hard liquors. Raw material for fermentation usually
differs from liquor to liquor and is corn or malt in case of Whisky, molasses in case of
Rum and Country liquor, grapes in case of Brandies and Wines, any starchy
substance for Gin and Vodka and barley for Beer. The raw material can differ also
depending upon the availability or abundance in that area. Eventually it is the flavour
that marks the liquor for its variety as well as quality.

In Indian markets most prominent segment of liquor consumed by the middle classes, is the
Indian Made Foreign Liquor, which covers most liquor, barring beer and country liquor, and is
available in glass or sometimes plastic bottles. Beer is also available in glasses filled through
dedicated taps dispensing what is known as draught beer. Most Indian beer is Lager that is
it can be stored for some time. and all of them use a herb, known as hops, for flavouring.
Liquors from which sugar content has been chemically reduced are termed as "dry". Country
Liquor is generally in the range of 25% of alcohol and also available in glass bottles only.
Wines in India are available in red or white variety, with pink almost non existing.
Champagne, generally a ceremonial drink, also known as sparking wine, is generally off-
white and is fizzy because of its carbonation at the time of bottling. Liqueurs are
concentrated syrups, available in myriad flavours, and are usually taken without dilution
after major meals.

Do's & Don't As a part of its policy to provide safe and quality liquor to the consumers in
Delhi, the Excise Department has formulated the following do's & don't which they follow
very strictly in regulating and controlling the sale of liquor in the NCT of Delhi.

Licence cannot be granted to a person who is not assessed to income tax.

No licensee shall employ any person suffering from an infectious or contagious

disease.

The business premises of a licensee shall be kept closed on dry days applicable on
him.

The hours for the sale of liquor shall be such as may be specified in an order by the
Excise Commissioner.

The licensee shall prominently display in front of his shop a signboard showing the
retail price of each brand of liquor to be charged by him.
 Always buy liquor from authorized liquor shop.

The consumers while buying liquor from authorized liquor shop must ensure that
the bottle is marked for sale in Delhi only.

The liquor from army canteen is meant only for army personnel and not for
general public

No individual should possess liquor at one time more than the prescribed limit
without special permit.

Always check seal of the bottle and insist on cash memo while buying liquor from
the shop.

Do not pay more than MRP printed on the bottle.

If one is traveling to Delhi from outside state, one should not possess more than
one unsealed liquor bottle of 750 ml.

Do not service liquor at unlicensed premises.

Do not buy liquor from illegal sources.

Do not buy if you are below 25 years of age.

No person is eligible for grant of license if he has been declared insolvent by any
court of Delhi or who is declared insane or who is below 25 years of age or is convict
declared by any court for any non-bailable offence.

No person shall permit or publish in any newspaper/book/leaflet matter soliciting

the use of or offering any liquor.

No person shall have in his possession any quantity of any intoxicant, knowing the
same to have been unlawfully imported, transported, manufactured, cultivated
/collected or knowing prescribed duty not to have been paid thereon.

No person should be employed at any licensed premises either with or without

remuneration any male under the age of 25 years or any female in part of such
premises in which liquor or intoxicating drug is consumed by the public.
 Consumption and service of liquor at public places is
completely banned.

Consumption of liquor is injurious to health.

Grant of L-3/L-5 Licence in Hotels:

On site Consumption Licences :

Department grants licence to hotels which are holding star classification and approval of
Department of Tourism, Govt. of India which are considered necessary for grant of Licence
in form L-3. L-3 license empowers the hotel for service of foreign liquor to the residents in
their rooms.

These hotels can also seek separate Licence in form L-5 for service of liquor in exclusive
bar and in the restaurant / bar in the hotel premises. The service of liquor is restricted to
specified premises of bar and restaurant only. The hotel is required to submit application
on its letter head accompanied by the following documents :-

Documentary proof regarding legal status of the hotel i.e. whether it is a

company, partnership firm etc.

Whether the hotel is in legal possession of the plot.

Completion certificate in respect of the hotel building.

Trade licence from the Local Authority i.e. MCD/NDMC as the case maybe

Lodging House licence from the Local Authority.

Certificate of registration of eating House licence issued by the DCP (Licencing).

Documentary proof regarding applicant being an Income Tax Assessee and Sales
Tax-Assessee.

The applicant is required to submit lay out plan of the hotel, site plan of the
licence outlets and the liquor stores

proof of Department of Tourism. GOvt of India indicating the project approval

and also recommendation for grant of L-3/L-5 license

NOC from Delhi Fire Service

The applicant hotel is required to submit application to the Commissioner of Excise. After
scrutiny of the papers submitted and the same having been found to be in accordance
with the rules, the hotel premises is inspected by the concerned Excise Officer from the
department who submits report to the licence granting authority. The inspection as above
is to determine status of the premises under the Excise rules particularly w.r.t. rule 11 of
the Delhi Intoxicants Licence and Sales Rules, 1976 which provides that :-

"No liquor shop for consumption 'on' the premises shall be located within a distance of 75
metres from the following, namely :-

(a) major educational institutions

(b) religious places;

(c) hospitals with fifty beds and above

Explanation I : For the purpose of clause (a) above, major educational institutions
would mean middle and higher secondary schools, colleges and other institutions of higher
learning recognized by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi or the Government of India.

Explanation II : For the purpose of clause (b) above, a religious place would imply a
religious place having a pucca structure with a covered area of more than 400 square feet.

Explanation III : The measurement of distance shall be from the mid-point of the actual
main entrance/door of the premises proposed for licence to mid-point of the actual main
door/entrance of the building of the places mentioned in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above.

Once the hotel has been found to be suitable for grant of licence, the views of the
public/residents are invited on the proposal giving them 7 days time in this regard to file
objections before the licensing authority. This is done through pasting of notices and also
through public announcement in the area. After no objection has been received, the
competent authority proceeds with approval for grant of licence. After approval, the hotel
is required to submit fees as prescribed under the rules. On deposit of the same, licence is
issued to the hotel. L-5 Licence for exclusive bar/restaurant within the hotel is granted in
conjunction with L-3 Licence only and requirements listed above also apply for grant of L-5
Licence.

L-3 License Fee

L-3( Service of foreign liquor in a hotel to the residents in their rooms)

Hotel having 10 to 25 rooms Rs 40,000/-

Hotel having 26 to 50 rooms Rs 60,000/-

Hotel having 51 to 100 rooms Rs 1,20,000/-

 Hotel having 101 to 200 rooms Rs 1,80,000/-

Hotel having 201 to 300 rooms Rs 2,50,000/-

Hotel having 301 to 400 rooms Rs 4,00,000/-

Hotel having 401 and above rooms Rs 4,50,000/-

L-5 License Fee

(Service of foreign Liquor in a bar or restaurant attached to a hotel)

As per above stated Notification No the rate of L-5 License fee is as under

5 Star and above Rs 8.50 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

4 Star Rs 7.00 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

3 Star Rs 6.50 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

2 Star Rs 6.00 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

1 Star Rs 5.00 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

Budget Hotel Rs 4.50 Lacs P.A. per endorsement

APPLICATION FORM FOR GRANT OF L-3/L-5 LICENCE (HOTEL)

1. Name and Address of Applicant/ Hotel

2. Constitution (whether Proprietorship/

Partnership of Society of Pvt. Ltd. or

Public Ltd. Co.

Note: Please attach a copy of the Partnership Deed or Memorandum

of Articles of Association in support of the constitution,
wherever is relevant.
3. Letter No. and date of approval of Deptt. of
Tourism, Govt. of India with regard to Star
Classification.

4. Whether the premises are owned or leased

or rented by the applicant.

Note : Please attach attested photocopy of the

proof in support thereof

5. Whether adequate space has been set out

for Storage/Bar area in the Hotel .

Note : Please enclose a site and layout plan of

the Hotel clearly demarking the Store Room,
bar area (if any) and service area.

6. Whether the area where the Hotel is

situated is an approved commercial area by
the MCD/NDMC/DDA (please answer Yes/No)

7. Whether the applicant holds an Excise

Licence in any form for any other premises
(If so, details thereof)

8. Sales Tax Registration Certificate No. and

date

Note : Please enclose an attested photocopy of

the Sales Tax Registration Certificate
9. If assessed under the Income Tax

indicate the Permanent Account No.

10. Have you been registered for an Eating

House with DCP (Licensing) and also Health
Deptt. of NDMC/MCD. If yes, please attach
photocopy of the certificate .

11. Please attach a copy of the site plan

and outline Map of the Hotel indicating

sitting area segment wise & other facilities
like toilets separately meant for Gents &
Ladies.

12. Does the Hotel has parking space of its

own. How many vehicles can be parked
outside Hotel. Please indicate number of (a)
Cars and (b) Scooters

13. Whether the Hotel is centrally air-

conditioned or provided with A.C.s. If
with A.C.s number of air- conditioners
provided

14. Whether the Pantry area is

equipped with suitable gadgets and is
hygienic (please answer Yes/No)

15. Details of fire-fighting

equipments installed in the Hotel
with dates/inspection by Fire Services
 Department and also NOC from Fire Services
Department.

16. Whether separate area has been earmarked

for the smokers. Those who do not smoke or
drink Alcoholic Beverages.

17. Whether Lodging House Licence from DCP

(Licensing) and from NDMC/MCD issued.
(Please attach a copy thereof).

18. Please indicate the distance from the

premises of the Restaurant to the nearest: -

(i) Religious places

(ii) Major educational institutions

We have gone through the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 as extended to the
Union Territory of Delhi. Delhi Liquor Licence Rules, 1976 as amended
from time to time, Delhi Intoxicant (Sales and Licence) Rules, 1976
and other relevant, excise rules and understood the same.

We have also understood that the application for the grant of L-3/5 licence
shall be considered by the competent authority under the Delhi Liquor

Licence Rules, 1976 as amended from time to time and the Delhi Intoxicant

(Sales and Licence) Rules, 1976 and the other relevant Excise Rules for the

grant of L-3/5 Licence.



Note: We further clearly understand, the application/licence is liable

to be rejected/cancelled for furnishing incomplete/incorrect
particular and for any reasons whatsoever by the
appropriate/competent authority. We understood that no
compensation whatsoever on this account or on any other account
shall be payable by the Delhi Administration in the event of non-
grant/cancellation of L-4 Licence by the appropriate Competent
Authority.

(Signature of Applicant)

Certified that the information given above is true and correct on the basis of
the facts on record and to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Signature of Applicant)

LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR L-3/L-5 LICENCES

1. Documentary proof regarding legal status of the Hotel i.e. whether

Company/Partnership Firm etc.

2. Trade Licence from the local authority i.e. MCD/NDMC as the

case may be.

3. Lodging House Licence from the local authority.

 4. Certificate of Registration of Eating House Licence issued by
the DCP(Licensing).

5. Completion certificate in respect of the Building issued by the

local authority.

6. Documentary proof regarding applicant being an Income Tax

Assesses.

7. Documentary proof regarding Registration with Sales Tax

Department.

8. Site Plan of L-3 and L-5 stores.

9. Key plans indicating the location of the Hotel.

10. Proof of Department of Tourism indicating the project approval

and also recommendation for the grant of L-3/L-5 Licence.

11. NOC from Fire Department.

12. Lodging House from DCP (Licensing)/NOC from the concerned

DCP of the Area.