Delhi announces five ‘dry days’ between January and March
Residents in Delhi will be unable to buy alcohol on five key dates between January and March, including Republic Day and Maha Shivratri, the Delhi Excise Department has announced.
The ban, announced on Friday, will prohibit liquor sales at liquor shops, bars and clubs on designated national and religious festivals.
The declared dry days are:
- 26 January – Republic Day
- 15 February – Maha Shivratri
- 21 March – Id-ul-Fitr
- 26 March – Ram Navami
- 31 March – Mahavir Jayanti
The ban applies to all licensed liquor vendors across the city, including shops, bars, and clubs. However, there is a limited exemption for hotels. Establishments holding L-15 or L-15F licences, typically issued to star-category hotels approved by the Tourism Department, may serve alcohol to residents in their rooms. Bars and public areas within these hotels remain subject to the prohibition.
All licensees are required to prominently display dry day notices at their premises. The excise department warned that any violations of the ban will invite action under excise laws.
Partner Content
Dry days are usually observed on national holidays, major religious festivals, or during election periods. While some are enforced nationwide, others may be restricted to particular states or cities, reflecting local customs and government regulations.
Maharashtra’s dry spell
This comes just one week after the state of Maharashtra enacted a four-day dry period in 29 civic body areas, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, banning alcohol sales and consumption as the state geared up to civic body elections.
The clampdown began on 13 January, and was lifted on 16 January.
All liquor shops, bars, permit rooms and establishments selling alcohol within the 29 municipal corporations going to polls were ordered to shut, with voting taking place on 15 January.
Related news
Optimistic Capital sharpens focus on vinyl-themed microbreweries
