Delhi Govt reduces Dry Days from 21 to 3

New Delhi, Jan 24: The Delhi government has reduced the number of dry days in the national capital from 21 to 3 under the new excise policy. According to the latest order issued from the excise department on Monday, the licensed liquor shops and opium vends will remain closed only on Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. However, the hotels having L-15 licenses are exempted from the official dry days and will be allowed to serve liquor throughout the year on all days. Earlier, the dry days numbered 21 which included the birth anniversary of leaders and religious festivals. “In pursuance of the provisions of Rule 52 of Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, it is hereby ordered that the following dates shall be observed as “Dry Day” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi by all the licensees of the Excise department and opium vends located in Delhi for the year 2022,” the order stated, listing January 26, August 15 and October 2 as days prohibiting the sale of liquor. However, the order also stated that the government may declare any other day in the year as a dry day.