The Government of Himachal Pradesh on March 15, 2024, issued amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Liquor License Rules 1986.
The following amendments have been stated:
• In sub-rule 11 (a) and 11 (b) under rule 37, which states “Every licence under these rules is granted subject to the conditions set forth in this rule”, shall be substituted as under:
o 11(a) - The license in forms L.2, L.14, L.14-A and S-1AA in rural and urban areas will observe the following sale hours during the working days:
Period: From April 01 to March 31
Licensed hours: 09.00 A.M. to 12:00 Midnight
Provided that the above-mentioned licensee will have the option to open/close the liquor vends beyond the prescribed time during the whole year.
o 11(b) - The license in form L-3, L-4, L-5/ L-4, L-5/ L-3A, L-4A, L-5A in rural and urban areas will observe following sale hours during the working days:
Period: From April 01 to March 31
Licensed hours: 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Midnight
Provided that the licensee will have the option to open/close the Bars beyond the prescribed time during the whole year.
• The sub-rule 38 (2) (e) under rule 38, which states “Special Conditions”, shall be substituted as under:
o 38 (2) (e) - “If any L-2, L-14 and L-14A licensee sells liquor below the MSP fixed by the Commissioner of State Taxes & Excise such licensees shall be imposed penalty by the Zonal Collector of Rs. 15,000/ for the first such offence, Rs 25,000/ for the second and any subsequent offence. If any unaccounted liquor is detected in any vend the licensee will be liable to pay an amount equal to double the amount of excise duty on such liquor, in addition to penalty up to Rs. 50,000/-.”
This notification will come into force from April 01, 2024.
[Notification No 7-232/2024EXN-7030]
