Alcohol laws of India: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 01:51, 6 January 2015
The legal drinking age in India and the laws which regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol vary significantly from state to state.[1] In India, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram , Kerala and Nagaland,[2] as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. Kerala is implementing prohibition in phased manner. All other Indian states permit alcohol consumption but fix a legal drinking age. In some states, the legal drinking age can be different for different types of alcoholic beverages.
Law
Alcohol is a subject in the State List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.[3][4][5] Therefore, the laws governing alcohol vary from state to state.
Liquor in India is generally sold at liquor stores, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, clubs and discos. Some states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prohibit private parties from owning liquor stores making the state government the sole retailer of alcohol in those states. In some states, liquor may be sold at groceries, departmental stores, banquet halls and/or farm houses. Some tourist areas have special laws allowing the sale of alcohol on beaches and houseboats.
Delhi
Home delivery of alcoholic beverages is illegal in Delhi.[6] However, Delhi permits home delivery of beer and wine by private vends and departmental stores. The sale of beer at departmental stores, banquet halls and farm houses, is legal in Delhi.[6]
Legal drinking age
The following list is incomplete. Please help complete the list by providing references
State/UT | Drinking Age | Remarks |
---|---|---|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | It is illegal to sell or supply any liquor to Andamanese, Nicobarese or any other Scheduled Tribes. | |
Andhra Pradesh | 21 [7] | |
Arunachal Pradesh | 21[8] | |
Assam | 21 | |
Bihar | 21[7] | |
Chandigarh | 25[9] | |
Chhattisgarh | 21 | |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | ||
Daman and Diu | ||
Delhi | 25[10] | |
Goa | 18[7] | |
Gujarat | Illegal | Non-Residents of Gujarat can apply for limited Liquor Permits. |
Haryana | 25 | The Punjab Excise Act, which also extends to Haryana, prohibits establishments from employing "women in any part of such premises in which such liquor or intoxicating drug is consumed by the public".[11] |
Himachal Pradesh | 18[12] | |
Jammu and Kashmir | 21[13][14] | |
Jharkhand | 21 | |
Karnataka | 18[15] | Arrack is banned in Karnataka since 1 July 2007.[16][17] |
Kerala | 21[18] | Arrack is banned in Kerala since 1996.[19] Drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 in July 2011. Starting 1 April 2015, liquor will only be sold at 5-star hotels. Toddy will continue to be sold as before.[20] |
Lakshadweep | Illegal | Consumption is legal only on the island of Bangaram.[21] |
Madhya Pradesh | 21 | |
Maharashtra | No limit (wine)[22] 21 (beer) 25 (Other)[22] |
In Maharashtra for drinking a person should carry a liquor license obtained from Govt.Civil Hospital. The drinking age is 30 years in Wardha district.[23] |
Manipur | Illegal | |
Meghalaya | 25[24] | |
Mizoram | ILLEGAL[25] | |
Nagaland | Illegal[2] | Sale and consumption illegal since 1989.[26] |
Orissa | 21[7] | |
Puducherry | 18 | |
Punjab | 25[27] | The Punjab Excise Act prohibits establishments from employing "women in any part of such premises in which such liquor or intoxicating drug is consumed by the public".[11] |
Rajasthan | 21 | |
Sikkim | 18[8] | |
Tamil Nadu | 21[7] | |
Telangana | 21 [7] | |
Tripura | 21 | |
Uttar Pradesh | 18[24] | |
Uttarakhand | 21 | |
West Bengal | 21[24] |
Drunk Driving Law
The blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit is 0.03%[28] or 30 µl alcohol in 100 ml blood.[29]
On 1 March 2012, the Union Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act. Higher penalties were introduced, including fines from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 and imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years. Different penalties are assessed depending on the blood alcohol content at the time of the offence.[30]
Dry Days
Dry Days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is prohibited. Most of the Indian states observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions depending on the popularity of the festival in that region. National holidays such as Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) are usually dry days throughout India.[31] Dry days may also depend on the establishment selling alcohol. For example, generally 5-star hotels do not have to observe all the dry days that smaller bars may have to. Dry Days are fixed by the respective state government. Dry days are also observed on and around voting days.[32][33]
Dry Days by State
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | 7, 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) |
February | 7 |
March | 8, Holi |
April | 7, Good Friday |
May | 7 |
June | 7 |
July | 7 |
August | 7, 15 (Independence Day) |
September | 7 |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), 7, Dusshera |
November | 7 |
December | 7 |
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Muharram
- The last working day of a calendar month.
- The day of poll and proceeding two days in all General elections, By-Elections to Lok Sabha, Municipal Board and Panchayat.
- Any other day the Government may by notification declare to be a dry day.
Source: Andaman and Nicobar Excise Department
Andhra Pradesh
Month | Date |
---|---|
January | 26 (Republic Day) |
August | 15 (Independence Day) |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
Source: Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Ltd.
Delhi
Every excise year, the Government of Delhi, notifies the number of dry days in a year. The three national holidays — January 26, October 2 and August 15, are always dry days, and additional dry days are announced at the start of the excise year (1 July).[34]
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | 26 (Republic Day) |
February | 12 (Maharishi Dayanand Jayanti), 16 (Guru Ravidas Jayanti, 24]) |
March | Holi, Mahavir Jayanti† |
April | Good Friday, Mahavir Jayanti† |
May | 29 Buddha Purnima† |
June | Buddha Purnima† |
August | 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami† |
September | Krishna Janmashtami† |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), Dussehra, Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Diwali† |
November | Diwali†, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Guru Tegh Bahadur Martydom Day |
†Festival date may be in either month.
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Ram Navami
- Maha Shivratri
- Eid al-Adha
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Muharram
- Milad un Nabi
- Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
Source: Department of Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
August | 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami† |
September | Krishna Janmashtami† |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
November | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
†Festival date may be in either month.
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Ram Navmi
- Maha Shivratri
- Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
- Dry days can also be declaered on such days not exceeding three days during a year as may be declared by the State Government
Kashmir
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
August | 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami† |
September | Krishna Janmashtami† |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
†Festival date may be in either month.
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Maha Shivratri
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Eid ul-Zuha
- Eid-e-Milaad
- Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
- Dry days can also be declared on such days not exceeding three days during a year as may be declared by the State Government
Source: THE JAMMU & KASHMIR LIQUOR LICENSE & SALE RULES, 1984
Kerala
Month | Date |
---|---|
January | 26 30 (Martyrs' Day) |
March | 1 |
April | 1 |
May | 1 |
June | 1 |
July | 1 |
August | 1,15 Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti† |
September | 1, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti†, Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi |
October | 1, 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
November | 1 |
December | 1 |
†Date may be in either month.
During elections, are observed the day of the vote, the day before the vote, and during vote counting.
Starting 1 April 2015, all Sundays will be observed as dry days in the state.[20]
Source: Official web site of Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited
Karnataka
Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) is the only dry day in Karnataka.[35]
Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
Maharashtra
This list may vary depending on the date of festivals as well as specific dry day announcements by the Government of Maharashtra.
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) |
May | 1 (Maharashtra Day) |
June | Ashadi Ekadashi† |
July | Ashadi Ekadashi† |
August | 15 (Independence Day) |
September | Anant Chaturdashi |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), 8 (End of Prohibition Week/Chetan Jayanti) |
November | Kartiki Ekadashi |
†Festival date may be in June or July.
Dry days are designated on election days, plus the two days before and after the vote, and the day(s) the of the count, plus one day before and one day after the counting days.
The district collector can also designate any day as a dry day by giving seven days notice.
Source: Maharashtra State Excise
Rajasthan
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | 26 (Republic Day), 30 (Martyrs' Day) |
March | Mahavir Jayanti† |
April | Mahavir Jayanti† |
August | 15 (Independence Day), Krishna Janmashtami† |
September | Krishna Janmashtami† |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
†Festival date may be in either month.
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Maha Shivratri
- Harijan Day
- Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
Tamil Nadu
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | Tiruvalluvar Day, Republic Day |
March | Mahavir Jayanti† |
April | Mahavir Jayanti† |
May | 1 (May Day) |
August | 15 (Independence Day) |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) |
†Festival date may be in either month.
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- Vallalar Jothi Day
- Milad un Nabi
- Dry days are also announced when elections are held in the state.
Source: Tamil Nadu dry day list – 2013 : Kosukadi
West Bengal
Month | Date/Festival |
---|---|
January | 26 (Republic Day) |
March | Second day of Holi† |
April | Mahavir Jayanti† |
August | 15 (Independence Day) |
October | 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), Dusshera (Bijaya Dashami)‡ |
†Festival date may be in March or April.
‡From 15 hours of the day
In addition to the above the following days are also dry days:
- On the 9th and 10th day of Muharram
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Second Day of Durga Puja (Maha Ashtami Day)
- Dol Jatra
- Kali Puja (From 15 hours of the day)
- For Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha elections, dry days are declared for 48 hours prior to the close of voting, plus during the counting day(s). For Municipality, Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, or Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council elections, dry days occur on the polling day, the previous day, and the counting day(s).
Source: Department of Excise, West Bengal
See also
References
- ^ "Minimum Age Limits Worldwide". International Center for Alcohol Policies.
- ^ a b "Alcohol prohibition to remain in Nagaland".
- ^ Constitution of India » 246. Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States
- ^ States Subject List
- ^ Schedule
- ^ a b "3 held for home delivery of liquor – The Times of India". The Times Of India. 22 August 2002.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cheers! Orissa raises a toast to 21". The Times of India. 18 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Maharashtra's legal drinking age is highest in world". The Times of India. 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Legal Drinking Age | Minimum Age For Drinking In India". Drunkdriving.co.in. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ^ "Drinking age in India". drinkingmap.com. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ a b "The Punjab Excise Act, 1914", The Punjab Excise Act, 1914, Government of Haryana, retrieved November 1, 2012
- ^ Himachal bans selling liquor to minors | Voice of Himachal
- ^ http://jkexcise.nic.in/documents/eact.pdf
- ^ http://jkexcise.nic.in/documents/exc_rule.pdf
- ^ "Overview of Indian Nightlife". about.com. 20 June 2012.
- ^ "Arrack ban in Karnataka from tomorrow". The Times Of India. 30 June 2007.
- ^ Siddu wants cheap, safe liquor for poor
- ^ Liquor policy aims to curb buying, selling – Indian Express
- ^ Arrack ban to stay in Kerala
- ^ a b "Kerala, one of the highest consumers of alcohol, to bid goodbye to booze". The Economic Times. ET bureau. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ^ Lakshadweep Official Website
- ^ a b "Maha ups drinking age to 25". Hindustan Times. 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Maharashtra's legal drinking age is highest in world". The Times Of India.
- ^ a b c "Drink at 18 in Lucknow, 25 in Mumbai, 16 in Rome". IBN Live. 2 June 2011.
- ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mizoram-to-enact-law-to-lift-total-prohibition-of-liquor/article6373073.ece
- ^ "No Drink For You? India's Dry States". Full Stop India.
- ^ Underage drinking: Punjab to take action against vendors – Indian Express
- ^ Alcohol Law in India | ifood.tv
- ^ [1][dead link ]
- ^ "Think 5 times before you drink and drive". 2 March 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ Three cheers to dry days!
- ^ "official web site of Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited". Ksbc.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ^ http://www.and.nic.in/Announcements/Excise_policy.pdf
- ^ "Excise,Entertainment & Luxury Tax Department". Government of NCT of Delhi. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Why must Delhi have dry days? – The Times of India". The Times Of India.