Delhi To Face Liquor Shortage From August 1, As Only Govt-run Outlets Will Be Able To Operate

The national capital is set to face a liquor shortage from Monday, August 1, as the Delhi government on Saturday announced to return to the old excise regime.

Under the new excise policy, which came into effect on November 17, 2021, the Delhi government had allowed private firms to open retail liquor outlets, and 468 liquor stores are currently running.

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468 liquor shops to shut from Monday

With the government deciding to go back to the old excise policy, the 468 private liquor shops will shut from Monday, August 1.

Before the 2021-22 excise policy came into effect, the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi Consumer's Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS), and Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) - ran 475 liquor stores out of total 864 in the national capital.

The private stores, licenses held by individuals, numbered 389.

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Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22

Under the new policy, licences of 849 liquor vends were issued through open bidding to private firms. The city was divided into 32 zones with each having a maximum of 27 vends. Instead of individual licences, bidding was done zone-wise and each bidder was allowed to bid for a maximum of two zones.

The Excise Policy 2021-22, which was extended twice after March 31 for a period of two months each, will come to an end on July 31.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the excise portfolio, directed the department on Thursday to "revert" to the old regime of the excise policy for six months till a fresh policy is in place.

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CBI probe recommended by Lieutenant Governor

The Delhi lieutenant governor earlier this month recommended a CBI probe into alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in the implementation of the excise policy.

He also directed the Delhi chief secretary for an inquiry into the role of excise department officials in the alleged irregularities as well as complaints of cartelisation in issuing of retail liquor licences through bidding.

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AAP alleges threats by agencies

Sisodia alleged that BJP threatened shopkeepers and officers with ED and CBI raids.

"We brought a new liquor policy to stop corruption. They (BJP) are threatening shopkeepers, officers with ED and CBI, they want legal liquor shops to be closed in Delhi and earn money from illegal shops," said the deputy CM.

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