Online sale of liquor in Guwahati : Here is what you need to know

GUWAHATI: Amidst criticism from many quarters, the online sale of liquor in Guwahati has come into force with immediate effect. A notification to this effect was brought out by Principal Secretary, Excise, Rajesh Prasad recently.

Here is what you need to know:

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

2. Online sale of all Indian Made Foreign Liquor/beer/country spirit retail 'OFF' shops in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation areas has been introduced.

3. 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.

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4. 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.

5. Registered retailers may accept or reject any order within 10 minutes if the order is not serviceable for any reason.

6. Permission for online sale through APP only will be granted only, provided the Indian Made Foreign Liquor/beer/country spirit retail ‘OFF’ retailers possess valid licenses.

7. The eligible retailers will have to register themselves on the App developed solely for this purpose by furnishing necessary documents like valid license, location of the premises, list of delivery agents with name, address, phone number, photographs, and other details.

8. The delivery agent shall not be less than 21 years of age. Each retailer can engage a maximum of 10 delivery agents.

9. Eligible customers will have to register on the online portal furnishing proof of age and address. The eligible customer can order online up to three litres (bulk litre) of liquor.

10. However, the delivery agent can carry a maximum of nine litres of liquor at a time. The order shall be executed against pre-payment only and the delivery be ordinarily completed within two hours of receiving orders.

11. 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.

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12. Retailers would have to abide by Maximum Retail Price (MRP) fixed by the Assam Excise Department, failing which appropriate legal action will be taken against them.

13. The delivery agent will have to carry on his personal Identity Card issued by the retailer and an invoice which will also act as a pass to facilitate movement. The delivery agent will deliver the items and hand over a copy of the invoice to the customer.

14. The retailers will have to maintain a register detailing therein date wise, name and address of the persons placing online orders, the volume and value, type of liquor, name of the delivery agent, the status of delivery etc.

15. The delivery agent shall have to follow all the social distancing norms like wearing masks, maintaining 6ft. distance, and using sanitizer frequently.

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