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Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nearly half of Delhi's liquor licensees apply for renewal
Around half of Delhi's hotels, clubs and restaurants with excise licenses to serve liquor applied for renewals within 24 hours of the excise department issuing a circular mandating fresh licenses, two officials aware of the matter said on Saturday. A liquor store in Delhi. (AFP) The officials cited above added that approximately 40% of Delhi's 713 government-run retail liquor stores have also submitted renewal applications. They clarified there is currently no threat of a disruption in liquor supply in the Capital. On Friday, the Delhi government extended the existing liquor policy till March 2026 — one of the longest such extensions since the controversial 2021-22 excise regime was scrapped in September 2022 over alleged irregularities. Delhi has around 1,000 licensees in the hotels, clubs, and restaurants (HCR) category, including L16 (independent restaurants), L17 (hotels), and L18 (clubs). 'By Saturday afternoon, roughly 50% of HCR licensees had applied through the excise portal. The entire process, including payment, is online. We are working to ensure that those who pay the required fees get their renewed licenses before June 30,' said an excise official. The apparent urgency stems from the fact that the existing licenses — issued in March — expire on June 30. Without renewal, establishments cannot order fresh liquor stock or serve alcohol from July 1 onward. The tight deadline has left the hotels, clubs, and restaurants across the city are scrambling to renew their licenses in time, one of the officials cited above said. The official added that 40% of the retail stores run by the four Delhi government corporations have also initiated the renewal process. The e-Abkari portal handles the online application process, which requires licensees to upload documents such as a fire NOC and trade license. 'Once submitted, the documents are verified within two hours. If cleared, a payment link is emailed and texted to the applicant. After payment, the license is automatically generated,' said another excise department official. Despite the streamlined process, many restaurant owners have expressed concern over the short notice. 'We've been given just three days before the June 30 deadline. Two of those are weekend days, when we're busiest. The process is quick, but document scrutiny still takes time. The government should have given us at least a week,' said the owner of a Connaught Place restaurant, requesting anonymity. The government's decision to extend the current liquor policy again underscores the ongoing uncertainty around Delhi's excise framework. A new policy has been in the works for over 33 months but is yet to be finalised. Friday's extension means the city will continue operating under the 2020-21 excise policy, which has already been extended five times. Sandeep Anand Goyle, Delhi chapter head of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), urged the government to expedite the rollout of the new policy. 'The government has extended the current regime till the end of the financial year, but we request that a new excise policy be announced soon to encourage investment, employment, and to curb the flight of business to neighbouring cities. This will also boost government revenue,' he said. Excise officials, however, maintained that all applications submitted before the June 30 deadline will be processed on priority. 'There is no cause for panic. All establishments that follow the procedure and pay the required fee on time will receive their renewed licenses without disruption,' one of them said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
As Haryana, UP steal Delhi's diners, city's restaurant lobby demands fewer govt restrictions to win them back
The Delhi chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) met Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to push for urgent reforms in the city's hospitality sector, citing long-standing regulatory barriers that continue to stunt industry growth, reported TOI. Representing a sector worth Rs 42,000 crore in Delhi alone and employing over five lakh people across 1.2 lakh food outlets, the association pressed for changes that would revitalise the capital's dining scene and boost the ease of doing business. The delegation, led by NRAI Delhi head Sandeep Goyle and members Manpreet Singh, Rahul Singh, Goumtesh Singh, Dhruv Goyle, and Prakul Kumar, voiced concerns over high excise fees, outdated licensing processes, inconsistent policies on open-air service, and restricted hours. According to the delegation, these issues are driving business to neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. They also highlighted the lack of premium liquor availability and inefficiencies in the e-Abkari portal, said the report. Among key demands were: a pro-rata excise fee model , multi-year licensing, extended restaurant operating hours till 3am, permission for terrace and open-area liquor service, and use of multiple dispensing counters. Live Events NRAI also raised the issue of excessive licensing, fragmented regulations, and executive overreach in fire safety compliance , urging a transition to a single registration-based permit system with standardised five-year validity. TOI further reported that the group criticised the uneven stance on open-area dining — allowed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, but restricted by the New Delhi Municipal Council — and called for consistent policy across zones. CM Gupta reportedly welcomed the inputs and assured the delegation of her administration's intent to collaborate with the industry. Goyle said Gupta showed interest in policy suggestions that could simultaneously boost the sector and state revenue. With a new excise policy in the works, the industry remains hopeful that the government will incorporate NRAI's recommendations to transform Delhi into a more vibrant and business-friendly food capital.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ease of doing biz: Restaurant body seeks a smoother platter in Delhi
New Delhi: The National Restaurant Association of India 's Delhi Chapter met chief minister Rekha Gupta to apprise her of key concerns and recommend policy changes aimed at revitalising the city's dining and hospitality ecosystem. Representing more than five lakh employees across 1.2 lakh food outlets and comprising an estimated size in Delhi of Rs 42,000 crore, NRAI urged Gupta to urgently address long-standing regulatory hurdles and institutional bottlenecks that have hindered the industry's growth in the capital. The delegation, led by NRAI Delhi Chapter head Sandeep Goyle and comprising members Manpreet Singh, Rahul Singh, Goumtesh Singh, Dhruv Goyle and Prakul Kumar, welcomed the BJP govt's commitment to enhancing ease of doing business in the city. They emphasised the restaurant sector's role not only in job creation and tax generation, but also in enhancing the cultural and social vibrancy of a detailed representation, the association discussed the excise fees, outdated licensing processes, inconsistent permissions for open-air service, restricted operating hours and the non-availability of premium liquor brands in the capital, all of which are causing a significant shift in consumer traffic and business to neighbouring Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Among NRAI's top recommendations were restructuring excise fees through a pro rata model and introducing multi-year licensing options. It also proposed extending the closing hour for restaurants from 1am to 3am, citing the need to remain competitive with nightlife offerings in Gurgaon and Noida. The association also requested approval of liquor service on terraces, open areas and the use of multiple dispensing counters — practices common in other metropolises but restricted in Delhi.A significant concern raised during the meeting was the unavailability of premium liquor brands in the city. Sandeep Goyle also highlighted inefficiencies in the e-Abkari portal and the non-reversal of the burdensome Covid-era VAT hike. NRAI also complained about executive overreach in the implementation of new fire safety unresolved issue is the inconsistency regarding open-area dining. While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi permits this, New Delhi Municipal Council is yet to allow service in open spaces at licensed premises, including gardens, decks, terraces and said the industry was burdened by the excessive number of licences and approvals required to start and operate a restaurant in Delhi. Rahul Singh pointed out that operators often had to deal with many licences involving separate documentation and renewals across several departments. This fragmented regulatory structure, he pointed out, not only increased the cost of compliance but also discouraged small and unorganised businesses from entering the formal remedy this, NRAI recommended reducing the number of licences and transitioning to a streamlined registration-based regime with standardised five-year validity for all permits. It also advocated retention of essential regulations related to food safety, environment, taxation and public security, while removing redundant ones such as signage and trade delegation told TOI they were encouraged by Gupta's positive response. Goyle said CM welcomed the dialogue and assured NRAI of her govt's intent to work closely with the industry. He said she sought suggestions from the industry on ways to boost the sector and increase state a new excise policy awaited, Goyle was optimistic that the industry's suggestions would be incorporated in the policy and stressed the meeting with CM marked a major step forward in aligning govt and industry. The delegation was optimistic Gupta would make Delhi one of India's most dynamic and business-friendly food destinations.
