NEW DELHI: The amended excise rules, which allow home delivery of liquor in Delhi, will come into force from Friday (June 11).
In a gazette notification issued on Thursday, Delhi government appointed June 11 as the date on which the amended provisions of various rules, including Rule 66 that deals with home delivery of liquor, and rules that permit restaurants and pubs to use their extra and open spaces such as terrace, balcony, etc., to serve liquor will come into force.
It fuelled speculations that people in Delhi can order liquor online from Friday and get it delivered at their doorstep.
However, despite the notification issued by the state finance department with the approval of the lieutenant governor, Anil Baijal, home delivery of liquor cannot start from Friday.
The retail vendors will have to apply for an L-13 (Indian Liquor) or L-13F (Foreign Liquor) licence, and as soon as the licence is granted, home delivery of liquor can start.
The rules coming into force from Friday also permit restaurants and pubs to have live music like performing bands and DJs.
According to the notification, the capital’s microbreweries are now allowed to start takeaway service for draught beer, sell directly to restaurants and pubs and serve in events from Friday.
Recently, the government paved the way for home delivery of liquor through mobile applications or web portal by amending the Delhi Excise Rules.
Delhiites may have to wait for some time before they can swipe on their phone’s touchscreen to get liquor at their doorstep.
While the L-13 licence has been in existence for more than a decade and has now only been amended to allow home delivery through mobile applications or websites, till date, Delhi government hasn’t issued a single licence of this category.