The Tamil Nadu government withdrew the permission to procure special liquor licenses for "celebrations and festivals". Earlier, amendments to Liquor License and Permit mandated need to buy special licenses even for house parties. Only annual registration fee and per-day fees was to be levied on licenses for serving liquor at banquets, conventions and conferences.

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In a move to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state, the Tamil Nadu government tightened its regulations on liquor service. Special licenses were made mandatory for serving alcohol at special events.

The Prohibition and Excise Department has amended the Tamil Nadu Liquor License and Permit rules, making it mandatory for special licenses to be obtained.

However, the department revised the norms, saying only temporary licenses will be issued during national and international summits and sports events. It had earlier in the day said that such licenses were mandatory for house parties, household celebrations, banquets, conferences, marriage halls, and sports complexes.

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According to the new regulations, all commercial establishments serving alcohol will be required to pay an annual registration fee of Rs 1 lakh.

Additionally, a per-day fee of Rs 11,000 (for corporations) and Rs 7,500 (for municipalities) will be levied on the day of service, applicable to both commercial and non-commercial establishments.

The government has also mandated that all alcohol purchases must be made from state-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets.

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Hotels in Chennai, which have in-house banquet spaces, will largely remain unaffected as they can use their existing license.

The new regulations come at a time when many states across India are tightening their liquor laws, with the aim of reducing alcohol-related harm and generating revenue for the government.

First Published:Apr 24, 2023 2:54 PM IST