The Government of NCT of Delhi orders the maintenance of status quo for on-premises consumption of liquor in bars in hotels or clubs or restaurants

The Excise Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi has issued an Order requiring the maintenance of status quo in respect of on-premises consumption of liquor in bars in hotels/ clubs/ restaurants. This Order was issued on 1^st October 2020.

It may be recalled that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had issued an Order dated 30^th September 2020 requiring the maintenance of status quo in respect of prohibited or permitted activities in NCT of Delhi. This status quo must be maintained till 31^st October 2020 or till further orders are issued in this regard.

In the light of this, the Government of Delhi has issued this Order to maintain status quo for on premises consumption of liquor in bars of hotels, clubs or restaurants. This applies to various categories of liquor licences. This status quo must be maintained till 31^st October 2020 or till further orders are issued.

This Order also mandates for strict compliance with the conditions mentioned in the Order dated 4^th September 2020. Pertinently, the Order dated 4^th September 2020, inter alia, states that there shall be no opening of bars or serving of liquor in hotels/ clubs or restaurants in containment zones. It also calls for strict compliance with SOPSs issued by DDMA and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Further, the Order stipulates for legal action in case of failure to comply with the prescribed SOPs as follows:

1. Action under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005,
2. Action under the relevant provision of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,
3. Prosecution of General Manager/ Manager of premises and sealing of premises and
4. Cancellation of excise licence of the establishment.