New excise policy paves way for micro-breweries at hotels and restaurants in Delhi

NEW DELHI: In a move that will bring more cheers to tipplers, the new excise policy has come into effect from today, paving the way for establishment of micro-breweries at hotels and restaurants in the national capital.

According to the government, the policy is also aimed at ending the decades-old " inspector raj".

"As per the police, micro-breweries will now be allowed to function at hotels and restaurants on seeking of licence.

"The allowing of micro-breweries will make available to the citizens of Delhi, fresh beer in different flavors, as is available in other places like Gurgaon, Bangaluru etc," a senior government official said.

The official also said that the new policy will provide an opportunity for those engaged in lawful business to carry out their professional activities.

"Under new excise policy, it has been decided to do away with the present renewal system of excise licences for hotels, clubs and restaurants, and merely on payment of prescribed annual fee, the licences will be allowed to continue functioning," official said.

The excise duty will collected from the wholesale licencee at import level itself, which means that excise duty on liquor will be received much before it enters the territorial jurisdiction of Delhi.

This decision will prevent the pilferage of excise duty to a great extent and allow only well-established and serious stakeholders to participate in supply of liquor, the official added.