Christmas, New Year party buffs need Excise Department nod

NEW DELHI: Holding a New Year or Christmas Party without the permission of the excise department may land you in jail with Delhi government forming various teams to check violations of excise rules.

According to the department, Excise Intellegence Bureau (EIB), headed by the Excise Commissioner, will keep vigil on such parties where booze is served.

"Ahead of Christmas and New Year celeberations, we have formed teams to crack down on such parties. EIB has been asked to keep tight vigil on these parties," said a senior official of the excise department.

The official also said that any person, who wants to hold a party where liquor is to be served, is required to get Permit 10 from the department, failing which, he may have to pay a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and serve a jail sentence of up to six months.

The department will also be keeping an eye on hotels, banquet halls holding organised parties.

"We have issued strict directions to licenced hotels, restaurants and clubs that if they want to hold organised parties on temporary basis on a specific day, they will have to take Permit 13," he also said.

According to the government, if the managers of these entities fail to comply with rules, they may be imposed a fine of upto Rs one lakh or imprisoned for six months.

He added there is also rule to stock liquor and beer. According to Delhi excise rules, no individual can stock more than 18 litres of wine or beer, nine litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at home.

"If any person wants to stock beyond this permissible limit at his home, they will be required to get Licence 30 from the department and if found violating rules, they will have to be dealt strictly," he further added.