Delhi’s transparency drive in spirits business

Delhi’s excise department has made it essential for restaurants and bar owners in Delhi to get their police verification done within a month and submit the details by 15th September.

The excise department of Delhi has stated in its order that it had been made aware that numerous liquor licensees in Delhi were changing the owners, directors, or partners of the company without its knowledge or authorisation.

The orders, according to officials, were issued to ensure that no one with criminal history is directly engaged in the spirits business and that the excise department was informed of any change in ownership of a hotel, club or restaurant that held an excise licence to serve alcohol. The licence to serve alcoholic beverages in Delhi is presently being held by more than 970 hotels, pubs and eateries in the capital.