The Government of Punjab on March 13, 2025, issued the Punjab Restaurant (Consumption of Liquor), (Chandigarh 1st Amendment) Rules, 2025 to further amend the Punjab Restaurant (Consumption of Liquor) Rules, 1955.
The following amendments have been stated:
• In form L-52, under the special conditions, the following shall be substituted, namely :-
"In order to prevent rowdy and drunken behaviour of the public. No tavern will be allowed to function in an open space without surrounded by 4 walls with concrete roof and strictly as per provisions of the Excise Laws. The Tavern shall be located in separate premises from the vend by metes and bounds. Tavern attached to licensing unit to have eight tables (minimum) with seating capacity of 40 persons, to have temperature control system within the premises, clean and modern toilets and cutlery and crockery of good standard and also to be registered with FSSAI. In order to improve the ambience and functioning of Tavern attached to a licensing unit, there shall be provision of metered electric and water supply and there should be proper system of garbage collection and disposal along-with separate kitchen, tiled flooring in kitchen, seating hall and toilets.
The licence Fee for the licence in Form-L-52 i.e. Tavern attached with the Licencing Unit shall be Rs. 3,50,000/- for the Excise Policy Year 2025-26 (01.04.2025 to 31.03.2026).
All Licensees will have to comply with necessary regulations like Fire Safety, Building-ByeLaws etc. of different Departments at their own risk & cost.
It will be mandatory for all the licensees to provide the facility of alcometer to the consumers for voluntary assessment of alcohol level at the licenced premises of the Tavern and a signage at the proper place mentioning clearly the permissible limits of consumption of alcohol as per relevant laws and also mentioning thereof 'Be Safe-Don't Drink and Drive'.
In case of any outbreak due to coronavirus, the licence fee will be charged only for the operations of the Tavern on pro-rata basis i.e. proportionate reduction in licence fee will be given if the Taverns are not allowed to open during the Excise Policy Year 2025-26 (01.04.2025 to 31.03.2026), because of taverns falling in containment zone or lockdowns announced by the Govt. of India/ Chandigarh Administration. No compensation of any type whatsoever in licence fee etc. will be given to the licensees on account of reduction in working hours.
The Collector may refuse to grant a licence for Tavern in exercise of the powers conferred under section 35 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 as applicable to UT, Chandigarh."
These Rules shall come into force with effect from April 01, 2025.
[Notification No. 404834-S(E&T)-2025/4045]
