NEW DELHI: To ensure that liquor is available at private vends and operations at bars and hotels can continue, sources said that the Delhi government is going to come out with a notification extending Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 by one more month on Sunday. However, uncertainty reigned till late on Sunday as all these licences are set to expire on Monday.
The Delhi government had on Friday decided to shift to the old excise regime, which allowed both state-run and private retail shops to sell liquor in the city. However, with the existing policy expiring without another one ready to replace it, huge chaos and shortage of liquor was expected in the city. Sources said that the government was also wary of black marketing of liquor caused by this change.
Currently, there are 468 liquor shops in Delhi (including the ones at the airport) and 23 of the 32 zones are operational. Sources said despite the extension of the policy, some zonal licensees may still decide not to continue, which will bring down the number of the shops by 50-60.
With an extension expected to come into effect, the existing liquor vends would continue to operate, but according to sources, the capital is still likely to face a shortage as with only one month to operate, the vends wouldn’t have adequate stock. Sources also said that many have already sold their existing stocks due to the uncertainty, leading to rush at liquor stores on Sunday too.
On Saturday, Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had announced that the Delhi government’s four corporations – Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) and Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS) – will sell liquor from August 1 onwards till the old excise policy is notified and licences are granted to individuals and private entities after tendering process.
According to sources, the government decided to extend the existing policy for a month to allow for a smooth transition. The government will likely shift to the old excise regime from September 1 for a period of at least six months and a new excise policy will be rolled out after that. The extension would allow retailers, wholesalers, warehouses, clubs, bars and hotels to continue to serve customers.
The 2021-22 excise policy ran into rough weather earlier this month after lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into its formulation and implementation on the basis of a report submitted by chief secretary Naresh Kumar, which alleged “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” to provide “undue benefits” to liquor licensees.
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