The festival of Dussehra is being celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervor across the entire country today, while there is an atmosphere of celebration everywhere, but if you're in the mood to throw a party on this special occasion, you might have to face significant inconvenience. To maintain law and order smoothly on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, the excise department has declared a dry day starting from Delhi all the way to Uttar Pradesh by taking strict administrative measures, while following this official announcement, a number of people are raising questions about whether alcohol can still be purchased from anywhere amidst these strict restrictions. Let us provide you with detailed insights into all the rules and prohibitions associated with this dry day.
In the national capital of Delhi, the excise department has officially declared a complete dry day for today. This directly means that not a single drop of alcohol will be sold in any locality of Delhi today, while whether it's a private liquor vends, a government-run wine shop, or any retail outlet for beer, locks will be seen hanging everywhere. The government and administration have taken this major decision to ensure that ordinary citizens can peacefully and safely witness the grand Ravan Dahan events. This step has been taken to prevent any kind of commotion or disruption in crowded areas across Delhi. If you reside in any corner of Delhi, purchasing alcohol from any store today will be entirely impossible for you. This regulation is being enforced with utmost strictness by the administration throughout the capital, and security personnel deployment has also been stepped up Importantly.
On the other hand, the regulations in the state of Uttar Pradesh have been implemented in a slightly different manner based on local circumstances, while along with the auspicious festival of Dussehra, the immersion of Goddess Durga idols is also scheduled to take place at various locations across Uttar Pradesh. Keeping all these aspects in serious consideration, the local district administration has issued strict and clear directives to keep liquor shops completely closed within their respective jurisdictions. Vends falling specifically along those routes and areas from which the massive idol immersion processions are scheduled to pass will remain completely shut. On top of that, Legislative Council elections are also scheduled to be held in a few selected districts of Uttar Pradesh. A complete ban on liquor sales has been enforced in these electoral constituencies as well from the perspective of security and peace. The primary focus of the state administration remains heavily on these sensitive zones to prevent any untired incidents or tension from occurring, while however, there are several other states across the nation where Dussehra has not been officially declared a dry day under local excise norms, and liquor shops remain open normally in those regions.
Now let us address the most common question being asked by people today regarding whether liquor can still be procured from anywhere during this dry day. According to the prevailing regulations of the excise department, wherever all retail liquor shops are completely closed, you won't be able to purchase alcohol from any standard vends or model shops. Nevertheless, under specific and selective rules, a few chosen five-star hotels or major premium clubs are granted minor relaxations. Alcohol can be served at these exclusive venues solely to their registered and in-house guests in accordance with prescribed regulations. However, even for this arrangement, those hotels and clubs must mandatorily possess a special license issued by the excise department, while thus, it's evident that purchasing open alcohol from anywhere for a common person on this special dry day will prove to be completely impossible.
On such sensitive festive occasions, certain anti-social elements frequently attempt to sell liquor clandestinely through illegal channels. Addressing this issue, the administration has issued a stern warning against all such individuals, while if any person is caught red-handed indulging in black marketing or illegal sale of liquor today by completely flouting the dry day regulations, a severe criminal case will be registered against them under the excise act. Along with this, their license to sell liquor will also be canceled with immediate effect permanently. Multiple special police teams are patrolling continuously throughout the day to curb this illegal activity and keep a close watch on suspicious movements. Under these circumstances, wisdom lies in avoiding any illegal endeavors, fully complying with excise regulations, and enjoying this auspicious festival safely and peacefully with your family.