On Friday, the Gujarat government granted permission to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) to consume liquor in hotels, restaurants and clubs via ‘Wine and Dine’ services.
The access to liquor permit will be issued to all the employees, owners, and visitors in the GIFT City, allowing them to consume alcohol through a ‘Wine and Dine’ service in the presence of the permanent employees along with a temporary permit for consumption.
The visitors without any prior authorization from a GIFT City company cannot consume the alcohol or any sort of liquor within the area. For this, they will need to ‘Liquor Access Permit’ from the authorities.
The reason behind govt allowing liquor consumption:
The Gujarat government’s decision to allow liquor consumption in the GIFT City has several factors behind it.
Attracting global institutions in the GIFT City to become an important international financial hub. However, many international financial hubs allow liquor consumption, and its absence in GIFT City is a prominent determinant for the companies.
Moreover, enhancing business with international professionals. Client dinners, meetings and events often involving liquor consumption might be a significant advantage. Also, economic growth and job creation are another factor that attracts more businesses from outside that will help GIFT City to see the economic growth, which will create job opportunities.
The F3 license:
The Foreign Liquor (Consumption on the Premises) License (F3 License) is required for hotels, restaurants and clubs in the GIFT City to serve and allow consumption of alcohol within the premises, in the way of ‘Wine and Dine’ service.
The motive behind introducing the F3 license is to develop and transform GIFT City to make it more attractive and competitive in the international financial hubs. However, it doesn’t the hotels, clubs and restaurants to sell liquor bottles, as per the government’s instruction.
Know More about the F3 License:
Eligibility– The companies or establishments located within the GIFT City, that want to cater liquor to their employees and authorized visitors are eligible to apply for the F3 license.
Application Process– To get an F3 license, one must apply to the Narcotics and Excise Department of the Gujarat government, along with other specific documents and payments.
Condition and Regulations–
Limited operating hours, excluding the early mornings and late nights.
Minimum space requirements to serve the consumer properly while maintaining the order.
Storage and serving rules, the license consists of specific protocols for serving, storing and importing alcohol.
Staff training, the staff involved in alcohol service must undergo training to prevent over-serving and underage consumption.
Moreover, it benefits the service takers to offer ‘Wine and Dine’ service, increases revenue and enhances the business.
Trajectory to GIFT City:
GIFT City, situated along the banks of river Sabarmati, is a business-oriented district under construction between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. It is supposed to function as the financial hub for both Indian and international financial institutions. Its business sector consists of offshore banking, and insurance, and attracts many companies.
Gujarat has been in a dry state for many years when it comes to alcohol. The govt has always tried to stop or reduce the consumption of any sort of liquor and alcohol in the state. However, it has relaxed these provisions for many international events.
