The Delhi government on Thursday allowed the city's bars, hotels and clubs to sell their expiring beer stocks this month to liquor stores in a bid to minimize their financial losses, an official said. There are around 950 hotels, clubs, and bars in the national capital that have an excise license, however, they have not been allowed to open since March 25 when the first national lockdown was announced. They will continue to remain closed till June 30.

Under the Excise Act, bars, hotels, and clubs can only sell liquor to their customers, the official said, adding that it would be a one-time relaxation.

" In wake of the extraordinary situation emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, the government has allowed these establishments to sell the beer stock expiring on June 30 to liquor vends," the official told.

The decision was made after the excise department received multiple requests to allow such establishments to sell their beer stocks as it would expire soon due to lockdown restrictions, the official said.

“The move will minimize the financial losses for bars, hotels, and clubs, as they have not been allowed to open for over two months. However, they cannot sell their beer stocks of beer expiring after June 30,” the official added.

The shelf life of beer is around six months, he said.

Source: Financial Express

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