GURGAON: The state cabinet on Monday approved a new liquor policy for the next 21 months, introducing earlier closing hours for urban vends, banning live performances in ahatas and stopping alcohol sales in villages with a population under 500.
The policy, spanning from June 2025 to March 2027, is also a departure from its current annual revisions and the govt's first attempt at aligning liquor regulations with the April-March financial year.
Officials said small villages would face the most immediate impact of the revised policy, with 152 sub-vends forced to cease operations in communities of 500 residents or fewer. "The move reflects the govt's push towards responsible retailing and addressing social concerns in rural areas at the same time," an official said.
Urban establishments haven't been spared either. The new policy has mandated earlier closures, with vends requiring to shut by 4am instead of the previous 8am deadline. Taverns (ahatas) must operate only from enclosed premises approved by the excise department and should not be visible to passersby.
"The policy explicitly prohibits live singing, dancing, or theatrical performances within taverns to ensure a controlled and responsible drinking environment," the official said.
The policy has also placed renewed emphasis on social responsibility and public safety. According to it, all licensed retail vends and sub-vends should prominently display warnings like "consumption of alcohol is injurious to health" and "do not drink and drive" on their signboards.
The process for obtaining temporary licences for events (L-12A and L-12A-C) has been rationalised as well. In unregistered commercial venues such as banquet halls, a higher fee will be charged for a one-day licence, especially in urban areas like Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Panchkula. This measure aims at encouraging more registrations while ensuring better monitoring at the same time.
The govt also set an ambitious financial goal, targeting a revenue of Rs 14,064 crore for the 2025-26 financial year.
This followed a promising performance in the previous financial year, when collections reached Rs 12,700 crore, exceeding the target of Rs 12,650 crore.
The policy has also tightened restrictions around advertisements, with all forms of promotion now banned. Violations will carry steep penalties - Rs 1 lakh for first-time offenders, doubling to Rs 2 lakh for second offences, and reaching Rs 3 lakh for the third time.
Any further violation will be treated as a "major breach", attracting proceedings for cancellation of the allotted zone.
"The new policy will balance revenue generation with social responsibility," the official said.
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