Uttarakhand to issue home mini-bar licence with caveats

The Uttarakhand government, in its excise policy for 2023-24, has issued a new provision to issue licences to individuals for maintaining home mini-bars. With an annual licence fee of Rs 12,000 and certain riders, the licence holder will be permitted to store certain quantities of liquor at home with a maximum of 9 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), 18 litres of foreign alcohol, 9 litres of wine and 15.6 litres of beer at any given time.

To obtain the home mini-bar licence, the applicant will have to submit an affidavit affirming compliance with certain criterias including, the mini-bar must be used exclusively for personal purposes, and no commercial activities will be permitted. Additionally, the mini-bar must remain closed on notified dry days.

“In its excise policy, the government has introduced a provision for mini-bars at home for personal consumption. Under this, whoever wants the licence must present their income tax return for the last five years. After completing some formalities, the person can get the licence from their respective district magistrate. The licence has an annual fee of Rs 12,000,” said Dehradun District Excise Officer Rajiv Chauhan.