The Karnataka government has significantly increased the fee for temporary liquor permits issued under the CL-5 licensing category, impacting organizers of weddings, birthday parties, and large private gatherings where alcohol is served in quantities exceeding nine litres. The revised rates, notified by the finance department on Tuesday, nearly double the fee for non-commercial events from Rs 11,500 to Rs 20,000 per day. Additionally, permits must now be obtained at least seven days in advance.
Tatkal Fee and Exemptions
For those seeking permission within 24 hours, the tatkal scheme imposes a fee of Rs 40,000 per day. However, no license is required for private gatherings limited to nine litres of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and 18 litres of beer or wine, as clarified by an excise department official.
Commercial Events
Organizers of commercial events, including cultural programs, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, corporate events, and New Year celebrations, now face a fee of Rs 75,000 per day for a regular permit and Rs 1.5 lakh for tatkal approvals. This revised fee structure is part of the government's broader push to increase revenue collection.
New Classification
The classification of commercial and non-commercial events has been introduced for the first time. Excise commissioner Venkatesh Kumar stated that non-commercial events held in public places will also require CL-5 licensing. According to the rules, a non-commercial event is defined as any private or social function organized without any element of profit or revenue, not conducted for business promotion or monetary gain. It is an event for which there is no entry fee and there is no mechanism through which payment is tied to the provision or consumption of liquor.
Key Points
- Karnataka doubles CL-5 liquor permit fee for private events serving more than 9 litres of alcohol.
- Non-commercial event licence fee raised from Rs 11,500 to Rs 20,000 per day.
- Tatkal approval for non-commercial events now costs Rs 40,000 per day.
- Commercial events must pay Rs 75,000 daily for licence fee.
- Tatkal fee for commercial events fixed at Rs 1.5 lakh per day.
- Government introduces separate commercial and non-commercial event categories.
