Online sale of liquor comes into force in GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) areas

GUWAHATI: The online sale of liquor in the areas under the GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) has come into force with immediate effect.

A notification to this effect was brought out by Principal Secretary, Excise, Rajesh Prasad here on Tuesday.

The online sale of liquor in the first phase is limited to the GMC area only, which may be further extended to other areas of the state by the Excise authorities.

It may be mentioned that states like West Bengal, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and Punjab have already introduced online sales and home delivery of liquor.

"Given the pandemic, the circumstances (that) exist, which render it necessary to permit the online sale of liquor which shall also curb consumption of illicit liquor," the order said.

Permission for online sale through APP will be granted if the Indian Made Foreign Liquor/beer/country spirit retail 'OFF' retailers possess valid licenses.

The eligible retailers will have to register themselves on the App developed solely for this purpose by furnishing a copy of the valid license, location of the premises, list of delivery agents with name, address, phone number, photographs and other details. The delivery agent shall not be less than 21 years of age. Each retailer can engage a maximum of 10 delivery agents.

The order stated that eligible customers will have to register on the online portal furnishing proof of age and address.

Online home delivery will be between 11.00 am to 10.00 pm subject to compliance with the lockdown restrictions issued by competent authorities from time to time, stated a release.

The online sale of liquor shall not be available for hostels of educational institutions, government/non-government/semi-government offices and other public and religious places.

The delivery charges will be Rs 50 per order for a distance of less than 1 km and Rs 75 per order for a distance between 1 km and 2 km. In addition to delivery charges, service charges and internet payment gateway charges, as may be applicable, will be borne by the customer. Registered retailers may accept or reject any order within 10 minutes if the order is not serviceable for any reason.

"In case an order is rejected by a retailer, a fresh order shall be generated by the customer by choosing another registered retailer. If the retailer fails to respond to the order within 10 minutes, the order shall be deemed to be rejected," the order stated.

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