Haryana Government New Liquor Policy | Now you can have liquor in office

The Haryana government has recently amended its liquor policy, allowing employees of large corporate offices to consume alcohol in their workplaces. This policy change is part of the government's efforts to boost revenue from liquor sales in the state. Under the new policy, corporate offices with a minimum of 10,000 square feet of covered area and 50 employees can apply for a license to serve liquor in their premises. However, the policy also sets certain conditions, such as the prohibition of serving alcohol during working hours and ensuring that the consumption of liquor does not create a public nuisance.

From June 12, serving low-content alcohol drinks similar as beer, wine, and ready-to-drink potables will be possible in large commercial services located across the state. The 2023- 24 excise policy, approved by the Haryana Council of Ministers on May 9, allows possession and consumption of beer, wine and ready-to-drink potables by the workers in a commercial office having at least 5,000 workers and a minimal covered area of one lakh-square bases in single demesne( tone- possessed or leased). 

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar during a press meeting. 

As per the new liquor policy, a licence ( L- 10F) for consumption of low-content alcohol potables on the demesne of a commercial office will be handed if the office has a minimal covered area of one lakh-square bases in a single demesne. 

The L- 10F licence will be granted for a commercial office if the minimal area of canteen or café isn't lower than 2,000-square bases. “ The procedure for entitlement of licence shall be as applicable to the bar licences. The L- 10F licence shall be granted on payment of a periodic fixed figure of ₹ 10 lakh on terms and conditions specified by the excise and taxation manager, ” the policy said. 

A security quantum of ₹ 3 lakh will also have to be paid by the licencee in addition to the licence figure. The licenced demesne shall not be a turnpike or connected to any area visited by public. The licencee will have to land stock of liquor in agreement with clause9.8.9 of the policy. 

The L- 10F licence will be granted by the collector( excise), with the blessing of the excise and taxation manager. It'll be renewed by the deputy excise and taxation manager of the quarter on behalf of the collector( excise). 

The state government has, still, increased operation figure for entitlement of a temporary licence( L- 12AC) to event organisers for serving liquor during entertainment shows, exhibitions, comedy shows, magic- shows,mega-shows, celebrity events and other analogous events. The figure has been hiked from the being ₹ 10,000( per event) for a gathering of 5,000 persons to ₹ 50,000 per event per day. It has been increased from ₹ 1 lakh per event to ₹2.50 lakh per event per day for gathering of further than 5,000 persons but lower than 25,000 persons. The figure has been increased from ₹ 5 lakh per event to ₹ 10 lakh per event per day for a gathering of further than 25,000 people. The L- 12AC licence may be applied for a maximum period of three days at a time. 

Besides adding the excise duty to the tune of about 3 for eight orders of the Indian- made foreign liquor( IMFL), the state government has also effected an upward modification in the minimal retail price of country liquor( from ₹ 160 to ₹ 170 for a quart) and metro liquor( from ₹ 210 to ₹ 220 for a quart). The minimal retail price of IMFL has also been increased to ₹ 3,100 from ₹ 3,000 for a quart for super decoration brands, ₹ 875 for a quart for super luxe brands from ₹ 850 and ₹ 420 for a quart for regular brands from ₹ 400. The minimal retail price for frugality brands remained unchanged at ₹ 230 for a quart. 

The Haryana government's move has received mixed reactions, with some people questioning the wisdom of allowing alcohol consumption in the workplace, while others see it as a positive step that could boost business and tourism in the state.

It remains to be seen how the implementation of this new policy will play out in practice and whether it will achieve its intended goals

Also Read: Bombay High Court bans serving of herbal hookah in restaurants with eating house license