Liquor home delivery moves a step closer in Delhi; vendors can apply for licences from June 11

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The liquor vendors of Delhi willing to start home delivery service through orders received on mobile apps or online web portals can now apply for a license from Delhi government from June 11.

This after the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi Anil Baijal ordered that the amended  excise rule will come into force from June 11.

The vendors need  an L-13 licence to  start the home delivery in Delhi, as per the rules.

READ: Here is why Delhi residents have to wait to get liquor delivered at their doorsteps

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has made a provision in its excise rules that paves way for home delivery of Indian and foreign brands of liquor in the national capital through mobile apps or online web portals.

The new amendments in the Delhi Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2021 that governs the trade of alcohol in the national capital were published in the gazette notification on May 31. The other provision that comes into effect from June 11 is permission to microbreweries to start takeaway services and supply to bars and restaurants.

The June 10 notification, however, doesn’t mean that the residents can right away start ordering at their doorsteps as the facility can only be started once the L-13 licences are issued to the interested vendors.

Also, read: Explained | All you need to know about Delhi's new excise policy

There was a provision for home delivery of liquor before the latest amendments as well, but on orders received through e-mail and by fax. Since there were no takers for the facility, the government amended the rules and included the facility for orders received through mobile apps or online web portals.

The Supreme Court had in May 2020  observed that the states should consider home delivery of liquor after alcohol shops witnessed overcrowding as soon as restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic were relaxed. Also, liquor traders had, last week, requested the Arvind Kejriwal government to allow home delivery of alcohol amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Also, read: Delhi govt prepares new excise policy that will increase liquor prices by 50%