Within just 24 hours of a government notice mandating fresh liquor licenses, nearly half of Delhi’s hotels, clubs, and restaurants have applied for renewals, officials confirmed on Saturday. The urgency comes as their current licenses are set to expire on June 30.
Out of approximately 1,000 license holders in this category — which includes standalone restaurants (L16), hotels (L17), and clubs (L18) — about 50% submitted their renewal applications through the online excise portal by Saturday afternoon. The application process is fully digital and includes document uploads, verification, and payment.
In addition, around 40% of the 713 government-run liquor stores in Delhi have also started renewing their licenses. Officials assured that there is no threat of liquor supply disruption in the city.
The push for renewals comes after the Delhi government extended its current liquor policy till March 2026 — a continuation of the 2020-21 regime, which has now been extended five times. A new excise policy has been pending for nearly three years.
While the license renewal process is reportedly efficient — with document verification completed in about two hours — many bar and restaurant owners are unhappy with the short notice. They argue that being given only three days before the June 30 deadline, including a busy weekend, has made things challenging.
One restaurant owner in Connaught Place said, “The process is smooth, but we needed more time. At least a week’s notice would’ve helped.”
The government has maintained that all applications submitted before the deadline will be processed on priority, and renewed licenses will be issued without delay if fees are paid on time.
Sandeep Anand Goyle, head of the Delhi chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), welcomed the extension but called for the quick release of a new policy. “A stable and updated excise policy will promote business, attract investment, create jobs, and increase revenue for the government,” he said.
For now, Delhi’s liquor businesses are racing against the clock to ensure they can continue operating smoothly from July 1 onward.
