Noida: District magistrate Medha Roopam has made it mandatory for establishments taking occasional bar licences (FL-11) from the excise department to obtain fire NOCs. Excise officials said that around 30 to 40 occasional bar licences are issued to restaurants every day in the district.Previously, there was no such requirement under existing excise rules for such occasional bar permits, which are typically issued for events and valid on a per-day basis. Officials said the decision was taken in view of the high volume of these licences being issued across the district.Under the excise policy, occasional licence rules are separate for the restaurant and hotel category, for which they have to obtain FL-11 licences for at least six days at a cost of Rs 11,000 per day, without any mandatory requirement for a fire safety clearance. Earlier, this duration was three days. Other categories that can take occasional licences include wedding banquet halls, community halls or residential societies.The DM order, issued on March 16, notes that liquor is a highly flammable substance and underscores the need for adequate fire safety arrangements at premises where it is stored, served or consumed. It also points out that under the Uttar Pradesh Excise (Grant of Bar Licences) Rules, 2020, fire safety certification is already mandatory for regular bar licences such as FL-6 and FL-7.“In the interest of public safety, all hotels and restaurants seeking event bar licences (FL-11) must possess a valid fire safety certificate issued by the competent authority,” the order states, adding that any negligence in complying with the directive will invite strict action under relevant rules and applications for event bar licences may be rejected.A recent TOI report, ‘5% business boom, 100% fire hazard’, highlighted how a large number of food and beverage establishments are operating in Noida without fire NOCs. The DM said that the order has been issued taking cognisance of the TOI report.“It has been seen that a large number of restaurants are taking occasional licences to serve liquor on a daily basis. Often at these places, creative performances using fire are also held, and having liquor in the vicinity is a major fire hazard. We do not want a repeat of an incident like the one in Goa last year, and in case of any such mishap, responsibility needs to be fixed. A mishap can happen at a restaurant with an occasional licence serving liquor, but if it does not have a fire NOC, it could endanger lives. Hence, the order has been issued and is to be implemented strictly,” the DM said.The restaurant industry has largely welcomed the decision.Varun Khera, president of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), Noida chapter, said, “This is a progressive step that will bring greater accountability and discipline within the industry. Ensuring fire safety compliance will not only safeguard customers and staff but also help in organising operations better. In the long run, such measures will strengthen trust in the restaurant ecosystem and make it safer for everyone.”District excise officer Subodh Kumar previously issued advisories urging frequent applicants for FL-11 licences to voluntarily obtain fire NOCs as a precautionary measure, even though it was not a legal requirement at the time.“Applications for occasional bar licences will be rejected from now on if the establishment cannot produce proof of having a valid fire NOC. We earlier also suggested all applicants obtain fire NOCs even though it is not mandated in excise rules for occasional licences,” Kumar said.In Dec last year, a major fire erupted at a club in Goa, claiming 20 lives. Inquiries later found that the venue was operating without a fire NOC.
