The Gujarat government has announced fresh relaxations in the enforcement of liquor licensing restrictions within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar along the Sabarmati River, GIFT City is India’s first operational smart business district. In a bid to create a more liberal and business-friendly environment, the Home Department amended its earlier December 2023 decision under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949.
Under the revised rules, employees and guests of businesses operating in GIFT City can now consume alcohol without requiring a company-appointed ‘Recommending Officer’—typically an HR head or PRO—to apply for permits. This move simplifies the process of obtaining temporary or group liquor permits.
Simplified permit process
The new provisions allow GIFT City employees to directly submit Form A-1 to an authorised officer appointed by the managing director of GIFT City. Once verified, a ‘liquor access permit’ card is issued, with copies sent to both the permit holder and the Superintendent of Prohibition and Excise. Permit-holding employees can also recommend up to five guests through Form A-2, provided they accompany them to designated wine and dine areas within GIFT City.
Boost for business and investment
Real estate developers and business leaders have welcomed the decision, saying it will enhance GIFT City’s appeal as a dynamic business hub. They believe streamlining liquor permit processes will make the city more attractive to professional talent and global investors while retaining regulatory oversight.
According to officials, this policy shift is part of a broader strategy to modernise GIFT City’s operational ecosystem. Spread across 880 acres, GIFT City features a special economic zone (SEZ) for banks and financial institutions and a non-SEZ area with residential and office spaces.