The Assam Excise Act, 2000 is a comprehensive piece of legislation Act that regulates the purchase and consumption of alcohol throughout the state of Assam.
Assam Excise Act, 2000
The Assam Excise Act, 2000 governs the manufacture, import, export, transport, possession, and sale of alcohol in the state of Assam. The Act was enacted to consolidate and amend the existing laws relating to excise in Assam, and to bring them into line with the latest developments in the field of excise administration. The Assam Excise Act, 2000 is divided into 13 chapters and 110 sections. The Act covers a wide range of topics, including:
- The definition of various terms, such as ‘excise’, ‘alcohol’, ‘intoxicant’, and ‘liquor’
- The powers and duties of the State Excise Commissioner and other excise officers
- The procedure for obtaining a liquor license
- The different types of liquor licenses that are available
- The conditions that must be met by liquor licensees
- The taxes and duties that are payable on alcohol
- The offenses and penalties for violating the provisions of the Act
Need for Liquor License
- Generate revenue for the government
- Support local businesses
- Promote economic development
- Fund alcohol education and prevention programs
- Reduce alcohol-related crime and violence.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be of legal drinking age (typically 21 years old)
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the jurisdiction in which the license is being sought
- Have no criminal record
- Be financially stable
- Meet all zoning and other requirements for the location of the licensed premises.
Documents Required to Get a Liquor license
- A completed application form
- A copy of your business license
- A copy of your lease or deed for the licensed premises
- A copy of your fire safety certificate
- A copy of your health and safety certificate
- Proof of liability insurance
- Proof of citizenship or permanent residency
- Background checks for all owners, directors, and managers
- A business plan and financial projections
- A social impact assessment (if required).
- NOC from the state fire department and the concerned municipal corporation
- Duly filled application form
- MoA and AoA of companies, if applicable
- Recent ITR copy
- Applicant’s passport size photograph
- Affidavit regarding lack of criminal records in the applicant’s name
- Affidavit declaring the applicant has no pending dues in their name.
License Fee Applicable
The license fee for a liquor license is based on the following factors:
- The type of license (e.g., wholesale, retail, restaurant)
- The size of the business (e.g., number of employees, square footage of the licensed premises)
- The location of the business (e.g., urban, suburban, rural).
Here is a general overview of the prices:
- Temporary Licence – To serve liquor at a party or event in a town with less than 20 lakh people, you will have to pay either:
- ₹7,000 if you wish to serve liquor to less than 100 people
- ₹10,000 if you wish to serve liquor to more than 100 people
- FL-4 Licence – Approximately ₹13,000.
- Serving Liquor in Rooms – To serve liquor in a restaurant, you will have to pay either:
- ₹5,00,000 for serving in hotel rooms
- ₹1,50,000 for serving in a beer shop or restaurant
- State Liquor Licence – Anywhere between ₹5000 and ₹15,000.
For a more detailed quote get in touch with our legal experts from vakilsearch. We will make sure to provide you the exact cost for the liquor license.
Application Procedure for Obtaining Liquor License
- Step 1: Contact the local licensing authority to determine the eligibility criteria and required documents
- Step 2: Complete the application form and gather all of the required documents
- Step 3: Pay the application fee
- Step 4: Submit the application and required documents to the licensing authority
- Step 5: Wait for the licensing authority to review the application and make a decision
- Step 6: If the application is approved, pay the license fee and receive the liquor license.
Conclusion
The new liquor license policy is a comprehensive and well-drafted piece of legislation that plays an important role in regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state. The policy helps to ensure that liquor businesses are operating in a responsible and compliant manner, while also generating revenue for the government and promoting economic development. The policy is also flexible enough to adapt to changing market conditions and public policy goals.
