Starting from June 12, Haryana has announced its decision to permit the consumption of low-alcohol content beverages, such as beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages, within large corporate offices situated throughout the state. This resolution was reached by the Haryana cabinet on May 9, 2023.
According to the new guidelines, corporate offices with a minimum of 5,000 employees and a covered area of at least one lakh square feet within a single premises will be eligible to possess and serve low-alcohol content beverages. To do so, these corporate offices must acquire an L-10F license from the excise department, with an annual fee of ₹10 lakh.
Furthermore, the state government has revised the application fees for temporary licenses (L-12AC) granted to event organizers for serving liquor during various entertainment shows, exhibitions, comedy shows, magic shows, mega-shows, celebrity events, and similar occasions.
The revised fees are as follows: ₹50,000 per event per day, up from the previous ₹10,000 per event fee, for gatherings of 5,000 persons; ₹2.50 lakh per event per day, increased from ₹1 lakh per event, for gatherings exceeding 5,000 persons but less than 25,000 persons; and ₹10 lakh per event per day, an increase from ₹5 lakh per event, for gatherings exceeding 25,000 individuals. Temporary licenses (L-12AC) can be requested for a maximum duration of three consecutive days.
Additionally, the excise duty for eight categories of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) has been raised by approximately 3% by the state government. Moreover, the minimum retail prices for country liquor and metro liquor have been adjusted, with a quart of country liquor now priced at ₹170 (previously ₹160) and a quart of metro liquor at ₹220 (previously ₹210).
The minimum retail prices for IMFL have also been modified: super premium brands now cost ₹3,100 (up from ₹3,000) per quart, super deluxe brands cost ₹875 (up from ₹850) per quart, and regular brands cost ₹420 (up from ₹400) per quart. The minimum retail price for economy brands remains unchanged at ₹230 per quart.
This new excise policy is expected to generate additional revenue for the state government while simultaneously providing a boost to the tourism industry in Haryana.