Introduction: Liquor License

Alcoholic beverages are one of the most popular beverages among people. Because of the huge market share of alcoholic beverages, the businesses dealing with alcohol earn great profits. In order to manufacture, sell, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages, it is mandatory to obtain a liquor license. For every state in India, a liquor license is granted by the State Excise Department. After getting a liquor license, a person gets a legal permit to deal with alcoholic beverages. Dealing with alcoholic beverages without having a liquor license is a punishable offense.

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A liquor license is granted by State Excise Department in all states. There are different requirements in different states for the grant of liquor licenses.

Liquor license in Goa

Goa is famous for its liquor, especially Feni. Different types of liquor sold in Goa are as follows:

• Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL): A foreign-owned enterprise manufactures this kind of liquor or drinking license in India.
• Foreign Liquor (FL): It is imported into India from abroad.
• Country Liquor (CL): This type of liquor is manufactured in the local areas by fermenting and distilling natural ingredients. Goa is known for its Coconut Feni and Cashew Feni.

Who can apply?

• Any person who wants to establish and work in a distillery/winery/brewery can apply for the grant of license.
• A toddy tapper who wants to tap trees for the manufacture of coconut liquor can apply.
• Any person who owns or is a tenant of a cashew grove for the manufacture of cashew feni can apply.
• A successful bidder/tender who is granted a permit to distill liquor in a public auction can apply as well.

Procedure for Application for Establishment of a Manufacturing Unit

• A person of major age, a partnership firm, or a legal company may apply to the Commissioner of Excise and comply as under:

1. An application with a court fee stamp of Rs.2/-.
2. A plan of the building
3. A Challan of Rs.20, 00,000/- payment will be non-refundable. 
4. A site plan.
5. Building plan with a description of the stills, apparatus, vessels, and other utensils as the case may be.
6. The Estimated cost of the project.
7. Estimated production capacity.
8. Certificate of Pollution Control Board.
9. Project report.

• Prior approval is required from the Government.
• A licensee is required to establish his unit within one year or within a further extended one year but not exceeding two years and obtain a license to manufacture liquor in Form E-15 Rule 41, 42, and 43.
• A licensee is required to obtain a permit for the private bonded warehouse in Form E-12.
• A licensee should execute bonds in Form E-5, E-6, and E-11 as the case may be.
• A licensee should requisition services of E.I. for supervision of his unit from the Commissioner of Excise.

Procedure for Grant of License for Sale of Liquor

• Application in Form E-28.
• Birth Certificate.
• Plan of proposed premises and site plan.
• A copy of the document proving ownership of the land and proposed premises.
• NOC of the owner of the premises if the applicant is not the owner.
• The applicant must produce a restaurant license in case liquor is to be served for consumption on the premises.
• Affidavit stating that he is not holding any license for the sale of liquor and proposed premises do not have any connecting link with residential premises.
• The person desiring to obtain a license for the sale of the excisable article should submit an application in Form E-28 and other documents connected thereto to the Taluka Excise Inspector in whose jurisdiction sale activity falls.
• Excise Inspector refers the issue to the Village Panchayat/ Municipality and Health Officer for no objection.
• After getting the consent of the concerned authority, Excise Inspector will prepare an inspection report and forward all the documents to the Commissioner of Excise for sanction along with the challan paid towards the processing fees.
• On receipt of the file, after examining the issue on merits, the office of the Commissioner of Excise shall seek clearance from Police authorities regarding the antecedents of the applicant and also to the Tourism Department in case the license is meant for consumption in the restaurant premises, where proposed premises comes within the purview of objectionable items.
• If the proposed premises attracts objectionable items stipulated in Rule 90(4) the office of the Commissioner of Excise shall send the matter to the Government for approval.