In a significant move ahead of the Christmas festivities, the Delhi government has substantially increased the annual quantity of sacramental wine that churches in the national capital are permitted to store. The limit has been raised from a mere 91 litres to a robust 4,000 litres per year.
Amended Excise Rules Facilitate Religious Practice
The decision was formalized through an official notification issued by the finance department on December 22. The government amended Rule 20 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, to accommodate the long-standing request from church authorities. An official stated that the revision was made following representations from churches seeking an enhancement of the limit to meet their ceremonial requirements.
Under the earlier regulation, only the Bishop of Delhi was authorized to purchase and possess up to 91 litres of wine for church use. The revised provision empowers the Bishop to buy, import, transport, and store up to 4,000 litres of duty-free sacramental wine annually. This can be done in one or multiple consignments from authorized distilleries anywhere in India, after obtaining prior approval from the Excise Commissioner.
Sacramental wine is used exclusively during religious ceremonies, most notably the Holy Communion, which is a central ritual in Christian worship. The wine is consumed as part of the sacrament on Sundays and during major festivals like Christmas and Easter, and is strictly not for sale or general consumption.
Industrial Limits Also Enhanced for Ease of Business
In the same notification, titled the Delhi Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2025, the government has also majorly relaxed storage and possession limits for special denatured spirit, which is primarily used for industrial purposes.
The key changes for denatured spirit include:
- The maximum quantity that can be stored at licensed premises at any given time has been increased from 6,744 kilolitres to 15,000 kilolitres.
- The annual authorized possession limit for permit holders has been raised from 64,000 kilolitres to 1.2 lakh kilolitres.
An official explained that this step was taken to ease operational constraints for industrial units that depend on denatured spirit for various authorized manufacturing processes. It is part of the government's broader ease-of-doing-business initiatives, while still maintaining necessary regulatory oversight under the excise framework.
Balancing Religious Needs and Industrial Growth
Denatured spirit, which is made unfit for human consumption, has wide-ranging industrial and commercial applications in Delhi. It is a key component in the manufacture of:
- Medicines and sanitizers
- Cosmetics
- Paints, varnishes, and printing ink
- Various chemicals
The dual amendments address two distinct sectors—religious and industrial—under the same excise policy update. The enhancement for churches ensures that religious institutions have an adequate supply for their sacramental needs throughout the year, especially during peak seasons like Christmas. Simultaneously, the revised limits for denatured spirit are expected to streamline supply chains and support local industries, from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing.
By implementing these changes, the Delhi government has responded to specific stakeholder requests, aiming to facilitate both religious freedom and industrial efficiency in the capital.
