Overview
- Officials say the draft centers on a government-run mobile app that lets users check store-wise availability of liquor brands in real time.
- Back-end analytics in the app would track search patterns to spot supply gaps and discourage unfair retail practices such as brand pushing.
- A reservation or advance-booking feature is under discussion, with details like any fee and a proposed one-hour hold window yet to be finalized.
- The policy favors rationalising existing outlets rather than expansion, including shifting vends from residential areas and schools and proposing about 350 metres between shops.
- Retail will remain under government control with potential restructuring of state corporations, the drinking age stays 25, and the current policy runs through March 31 before the new framework is considered.