The national restaurant body also listed some additional suggestions it wanted to be made on further changes, which it felt would be beneficial for the sector.

The National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) cheered on the Delhi Government’s move to make changes to the excise policy which was notified on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

In a statement used by the restaurant body, it said—NRAI warmly welcomes and supports the path-breaking reforms made by the Delhi Govt in the new Excise Policy notified earlier today. As a significant stakeholder, NRAI was very actively involved in the deliberations preceding the policy rollout and we are extremely happy to see that most of our suggestions have been incorporated in the policy. It is gratifying to see our constant efforts yielding such positive results. On behalf of the entire industry, we thank the Delhi Government for considering our suggestions. We also thank the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi for giving his express approval to this progressive policy.

The statement also listed several suggestions which NRAI wanted to make on the matter of the excise policy. They began by asking that the license fee be rationalized on the basis of the area instead of seat covers.

The body also felt that the age of selling and serving liquor should be in consonance with that of the neighboring States. They also felt archaic rules related to not allowing music in independent restaurants and pasting of public notice before grant of HCR licenses be done away with.

It also thought that the impractical restrictions relating to storage and serving of liquor should be removed and the requirement of obtaining multiple licenses prior to the grant of Bar license be done away with. Instead, the Fire NOC could be the only mandatory requirement for obtaining the Bar license.

The timings of operation of bars should be brought at par with the neighboring cities and the operational requirements of the HCR segment should be relaxed by permitting liquor service in the open spaces like terraces and balconies, and additional dispensing counters with a nominal fee, easy transfer of license, etc, it added.

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