For tourists in Gujarat, getting a drink has often felt like attempting a government entrance exam: forms and long waits. But that might soon be old news. The state government is finally serving up something smoother, a mobile app that promises to take the pain out of getting a liquor permit.
At present, visitors have to go to designated liquor stores in select hotels, fill out forms, and hand over physical documents. The hotel employees then submit the paperwork and wait for government officials to process the forms and issue permits, which usually takes some time. For a visitor expecting a chilled evening, the process could feel longer than a dry day.
All that red tape is about to vanish with one tap. A senior home department official confirmed to a national daily that under the new system, credentials such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving licence, passport, and around ten other documents could be uploaded and verified online.
The new system allows users to upload ID proofs like Aadhaar cards, make UPI or card payments, and get instant online approval, all from their phone.
According to the report, tourists would be able to make payments via UPI or cards instead of cash or challans, and once verified, their permits would be generated instantly, allowing them to purchase the approved quantity of liquor.
Officials mentioned that the app, which has already completed trial runs, would go live within the next couple of weeks. It would be available in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, ensuring that no matter what language one raises a toast in, the process remains easy.
The initiative was developed after feedback from several tourists who found the existing process cumbersome, the official added. Clearly, many had shared the same sobering experience of paperwork before the party.
The government is also set to integrate GIFT City into the app-based system. At present, Gujarat residents with valid health permits require additional authorization from employees or employers at GIFT City to buy liquor in the financial hub. Officials said the new digital system would eliminate this extra step.
They added that since health permit holders were already verified, they would not need separate authorisation once the app was active, making the process simpler and faster.
The new app aims to modernise and streamline the state’s tightly regulated liquor permit process, balancing Gujarat’s prohibition laws with the convenience expectations of domestic and international visitors, according to sources close to the development. In short, the state seems ready to raise its own kind of toast.
Also Read: Gujarat Liquor Permit Swell by 58% in 3 years, Ahmedabad Leads. Check Details https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-liquor-permit-swell-by-58-in-3-years-ahmedabad-leads-check-details/
