Gandhinagar (Gujarat) – About a week after relaxing the liquor consumption norms for the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) area in Gandhinagar, the state government issued a set of guidelines on Saturday for hotels, clubs, or restaurants seeking to serve liquor and for their customers.
According to the government’s Gazette notification, any unit located in GIFT City that wishes to obtain an FL-III license must apply to the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise in Gandhinagar. After verification, the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise will forward the proposal, along with a recommendation, to the GIFT Facilitation Committee for a final decision. Once approved, the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise will issue the FL-III license.
The issued license will allow the licensee to serve liquor for consumption only in the approved Wine and Dine facility area. To obtain a liquor license for the wine and dine facility, an annual fee of Rs 1 lakh will be required, along with a security deposit of Rs 2 lakh.
The notification states that the license can initially be issued for a period of one to five years, with the possibility of renewal for up to five years at a time. The annual fee for the F.L.-III license is set at Rs 1,00,000, while the security deposit is Rs 2,00,000. Additionally, the licensee must comply with the provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949.
It is important to note that these permits will only be issued to individuals who have attained 21 years of age.
The rules also outline the process for Liquor Access Permit issuance. Recommending Officers will be responsible for preparing a list of employees who wish to obtain the permit and submitting it to the Authorized Officer. Similarly, for visitors, a Liquor Access Permit will be granted only if accompanied by a permit holder of the concerned company, organization, or unit.
The Liquor Access Permit will be issued for a period of two years and can be renewed for an additional two years at a time. The fee for the permit will be Rs 1000 per annum. However, if the permit holder is no longer employed by the company, organization, or unit at GIFT City, the permit will be canceled.
Gujarat has been a dry state since its establishment in 1960. GIFT City, on the other hand, is a world-class business district in Gujarat designed to cater to global and domestic business enterprises.
Earlier this month, the Gujarat government announced the relaxation of liquor consumption rules in the GIFT City area. The move was aimed at connecting socially with people coming for business purposes.
Rushikesh Patel, a Gujarat Minister, stated that the decision to allow the consumption of liquor in hotels, restaurants, and clubs in GIFT City was made to match the lifestyle and preferences of business visitors and connect with them socially.
The government’s recent issuance of guidelines for liquor law exemptions in GIFT City provides clarity for establishments and customers interested in availing these services. With the implementation of these rules, GIFT City is set to redefine its offerings and further enhance its standing as a premier business and leisure destination.
