NEW DELHI: The people in the national capital may soon order liquor through a mobile app or website for home delivery, with the Delhi government amending the excise rules through a notification that also allows take-away of draught beer in bottles or growlers from micro-breweries.
A government official, defending the move, said the amended rules were implemented with the issuance of notification, but the new facilities will take some time as the government will have to decide dates for implementing different provisions by notifying the new excise policy or separate term and conditions.
The official said the government was yet to issue a licence to anyone under this provision. "L-13 is an existing license that has been amended. No licence for L-13 or home delivery of licence has been issued," said the government in a statement.
The Delhi Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2021, published in a gazette notification on Monday, permit the holders of the necessary licences to serve liquor in open spaces such as terraces, the courtyards of clubs, bars attached to hotels and independent restaurants where customers will also have a choice of getting alcohol in bottles.
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Opposition BJP and Congress slammed the Kejriwal government. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said the decision to have liquor delivered at the doorstep was against Indian culture. "At a time of pandemic when the government should have tried to improve health and medical services, it is busy with how to have liquor delivered at the doorstep of people," Gupta said.
The government is busy ensuring home delivery of liquor instead of tackling the pandemic, alleged Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar. The CAIT also criticised the Delhi government for allowing home delivery of liquor instead of opening shops and markets on priority.