The Delhi government announced yesterday after getting permission from the lieutenant governor that the existing policy which had been earlier mandated till 30 September will continue till 31 March 2024, with only the government-owned wine shops – (DSIIDC), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS), and the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (DSCSC).continuing to retail. The legal age of 25 years which was to be reduced to 21 years also continues to remain the same while it is 21 years in most parts of the country.

Also Read : Delhi Excise reverts to Old Liquor Policy for 6 Months

The earlier policy (2021-22), aimed at reforming the liquor trade in Delhi, was implemented on November 17, 2021 and it came to an end on August 31, 2022 with the Delhi government under fire with corruption charges leveled against the senior personal of the local AAP government, and announcing that the older policy would come back in force from 17 November 2021. This policy was to expire on 31 March 2023 but has been extended in installments till 30 September. Under the 2021 -22 policy, the Delhi government had announced quitting retail liquor sale, allowing private parties to run liquor stores across the city under a liberal excise regime.

Also Read : Delhi Excise Policy skewed in favour of Wholesalers, claim Retailers

A notification for the extension of the policy will be issued today. After the gazette notification, the existing excise licenses will be renewed for six months on a Pro-rata basis. Although the 6-month extension removes uncertainty over business, trade is not happy with insufficient number of government shops selling alcohol, cutting down the number by less than half.

Also Read : Delhi Liquor Policy extended for 6 month till March 2024

According to the government it is unlikely that there would be any disruption in the Capital’s liquor supply with traders given additional days beyond September 30 to renew their licenses so that there is no disruption in supply. However, the trade expects a drought as they feel the government agencies are not vibrant enough to encourage sales- at least good brands cannot sell satisfactorily and there are not enough retail points. There is also resentment that the government agencies only are allowed to retail despite the government conceding earlier that they were found to be more corrupt than the private shops.

One can only hope that the government comes up with acceptable policy-what with general elections slated for April 2024.

Subhash Arora