In a strange decree issued by the Delhi government, bars and restaurants in Delhi serving liquors to destroy old stock from the counters in the prescribed time limit of 8 days on “First In First Out” basis. The “First In First Out” policy mandates the goods purchased first are to be sold first.
During its inspection, the Delhi excise found that liquor stock at the bar counter is not disposed of/served in order of their receipt from the liquor store. It further noted that customers are served fresh stock of liquor despite the old stock of liquor still available at the bar counter.
The issued notice by the department said, “It has been brought to our notice that this practice of not following First In First Out and stocking liquor bottles at the bar counter for a duration beyond their usual period of consumption has possible of wrong use through refilling/adulteration.”
The notice explicitly mentions that once the expiry of the mentioned time limit is attained, the stock of liquor that remains un-exhausted/un-utilised will be ‘deemed to have been consumed’ and will have to be removed from the bar counter. It further ordered the bar counters to destroy such liquor stock in seven days after making an inventory.
The time limit kept for destroying beer, wines including champagne and alcopops would be three days in order of their receipt from the liquor store, while other liquors such as whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, scotch and tequila having a maximum retail price up to Rs 1,500 are expected to be withdrawn from the counter in five days. Liquors that cost in the range of Rs 1,500 to Rs 6,000 would have to be destroyed in eight days.
The order is effective from August 31 and non-compliance by hotels and bars will result in suspension and cancellation of the liquor licences of such hotels, bars and restaurant. The bar and restaurant owners have termed the diktat as strange and have asserted that they will approach excise department over this issue.
