- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Sat, 13 Dec 2025 05:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a move to ensure passenger safety, the Delhi government’s Excise Department has strictly prohibited the use of any type of firecracker, including electric firecrackers, at licensed venues ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. The blanket ban comes five days after a fire at a nightclub in Goa killed 25 people.
The excise department has directed all hotels, clubs, and restaurants that will hold Christmas and New Year’s celebrations to strictly follow fire safety regulations. The department has strictly warned that complete adherence to the fire safety regulations should be followed otherwise, the department can go ahead with cancellation or suspension of licenses.
The department issued a strong reminder to establishments, giving reference to a previous circular from May 30, 2024. Businesses occupying 90 square meters or more of floor space must prioritise renewing their Fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC) before it expires and strictly adhere to all mandated fire safety standards. Furthermore, even smaller food and beverage outlets (those under 90 square meters) have been instructed to keep adequate fire safety measures in place.
What Is The Latest Circular?
In the latest circular, issued by Tanveer Ahmed, the Deputy Commissioner of the Excise Department, all the owners of license holders must ensure that they have a valid NOC and are adhering to all safety regulations with proper functional safety equipment.
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The circular further warns that failure to comply with the restrictions, adequate actions will be taken under the Delhi Excise Act 2009 and the Delhi Excise Rules 2010, including cancellation or suspension of licenses. Copies of the circular have also been sent to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Police.
Earlier, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had slammed the owners of the Goa Club, where a deadly fire took place, stating that strict actions should be taken against establishments that do not have proper fire protection equipments.