Excise Dept issues limit for retail sale of liquor

PRAYAGRAJ, March 23 (HS): Sanjay R. Bhoosreddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise Department told HS over phone that after due consideration a new notification has been issued by the Government prescribing the limit of retail sale of various types of liquor.

Liquor cannot now be sold to any person by retail shops in excess of quantities prescribed by the new notification. No person can possess liquor in quantities more than this limit. Moreover liquor up to the prescribed limit can only be sold to a person above the age of 21 years. Now a person can not possess more than 5 Bottles of 200 ml capacity of Country Liquor (plain) and 5 Bottles of 200ml. Capacity of Country Liquor (spiced) or Foreign liquor up to the prescribed limit.

The prescribed limit for  Foreign Liquor is 1.5 litres each of Indian made and imported Foreign liquor, 02 litre each of Indian made and imported Wine, 06 litres each of Indian made and imported Beer, 1.5 litres of other kind of Indian / Imported liquor and 06 litres of Low Alcoholic Beverages. In case of any violation of the notification dated 05-03-2021, legal action under section-60 of the United Provinces Excise Act, 1910 will be taken against the concerned person wherein there is a provision of imprisonment up to 03 years and fine of 10 times the amount of consideration fee involved in the liquor or two thousand rupees whichever is greater. Moreover action may also be taken under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code.

Sanjay R. Bhoosreddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise Department has also informed that any person intending to purchase, transport and to possess the liquor for personal use in quantities more than prescribed limit can obtain a license in. The terms and conditions  and the maximum quantity of liquor permissible has been mentioned in the Excise Policy of 2021-22. The annual license fee for the said license shall be Rs.12,000/- and the security shall be Rs.51,000/-. Security shall be deposited in the form of FDR pledged to the concerned District Excise Officer. The said license shall be called as Personal Home License.

Within the premises approved in the license, adult family members, relatives, family guests and friends of licensee who are not below the age of 21 years will be allowed to consume liquor with his consent without making any payment in cash or kind. Only one Personal Home License shall be granted to a person for his main residence. Personal Home License shall not be granted to a person for his farm-house or guest house. The applicants who are income tax payee for the last 05 years and of which has paid income tax under the slab of 20 percent for at least 3 years shall be eligible. The self attested copies of PAN and AADHAR of the applicant must be enclosed with the application. In case of any violation of conditions of Personal Home License, action may be taken against the licensee under relevant sections of United Provinces Excise Act, 1910 and Indian Penal Code.