NEW DELHI: Liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, and other establishments serving alcohol in Delhi will remain closed from February 3 to 5 and again on February 8, in line with the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, as per the official notification issued by the Delhi Excise Commissioner.
The closure, classified as “dry days” under the Delhi Excise Rules-2010, will last for 48 hours leading up to the polling day and will continue on February 8, the day of counting. “It is ordered that dry days shall be observed (during 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll) from 6 pm of February 3 to 6 pm of February 5, and again on February 8 being the counting day on account of Assembly polls,” the notification stated.
However, there is no official notification that specifies any restriction for Delhi NCR including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
The directive applies to various excise license holders, including L-1, L-2, L-6, L-17, L-19, and others. “During the dry days, no liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs, and establishments selling or serving liquor will be permitted to sell or serve liquor to anyone whosoever,” it added.
Additionally, non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, and restaurants, even those with different license categories for liquor possession and supply, will also not be allowed to serve alcohol.
The national capital votes on February 5, with the results set to be declared on February 8. The election will witness a three-way contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress.