In a step that will have a far-reaching effect on the liquor business in the city, the UT Excise and Taxation Department is mulling over a proposal for allowing home delivery of liquor on the pattern of Maharashtra.
Sources said the Excise Department had started a discussion on the proposal. Views would be sought from all stakeholders before sending the proposal to the higher authorities for final approval.
The proposal is likely to be introduced in next year’s policy, to be announced in March.
An officer of the Excise Department said the move would help reduce the number of accidents caused due to drunken driving.
The city has around 80 liquor vends, which fetched over Rs 266 crore in the auction held in March this year. The move is also expected to increase the revenue of the department. The proposed policy is likely to give a boost to the liquor business.
The UT Excise Department had earlier followed the practice of the Maharashtra Government for making the hologram of Chandigarh mandatory on liquor bottles. The hologram helped in curbing the illegal sale of liquor from city in other states.
An officer said before allowing the online sale, it would be ensured that the buyers met the required age criteria. The sellers would be directed to take complete details of customers and identify them through the Aadhaar number.
The move would also generate employment as a large number of delivery boys would be required to run the doorstep delivery service.
Ajay Jagga, a member of the Consumer Protection Council, UT, said the proposal was in the right direction as it would curtail unnecessary traffic movement for procurement of liquor and help in reducing the number of accidents due to drunken driving.
