Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24: Corporate Offices Allowed To Serve Beer, Wine At Workplaces

The Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24 allows corporate offices in Haryana, India, to serve beer, wine, and other low-content alcohol beverages to their employees and guests. The policy, which will be implemented from June 12, specifies that the possession and consumption of alcohol will be allowed in corporate offices with a minimum covered area of one lakh-square feet and at least 5,000 employees.

Here are the Key Takeaways from the policy:

• Corporate offices in Haryana can serve beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages to employees and guests.
• The minimum area of the canteen or eatery in the office should not be less than 2,000-square feet.
• The liquor license (L-10F license) will be granted by the collector (excise), with the approval of the excise and taxation commissioner.
• A security amount of Rs3 lakh needs to be paid by the licensee in addition to the license fee.
• The policy sets an annual fixed fee of Rs10 lakh for the license, subject to terms and conditions specified by the excise and taxation commissioner.
• The licensed premises should not be a thoroughfare or connected to any area frequented by the public.
• This is the first time in India that a state has allowed serving low-content alcohol drinks in corporate offices.
• The move is expected to benefit private-sector employees in Gurugram, as the city is home to many major corporate offices and startups.
• The license fee for the pub category, specifically for the consumption of beer and wine, has been further reduced in the Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24.
• The policy includes stringent provisions to curb pilferage of liquor by wholesale licensees and imposes a complete ban on liquor promotion advertisements on various platforms, including social media.
• The maximum number of retail liquor vends in the state has been successively reduced from 2,500 to 2,400 in the 2023-24 policy.

Overall, the Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24 allows corporate offices in Haryana to serve beer, wine, and other low-content alcohol drinks to their employees and guests, subject to certain conditions and regulations. The policy aims to provide a new amenity for corporate employees and reduce the number of liquor vends in the state.