Tussle on, but Delhi excise policy may be extended

To prevent liquor shops in the national capital from downing shutters as their permits expire on August 1, Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena is likely to extend for the third time the old excise policy of 2021-22, an official said.

The policy, valid till March 30, was earlier extended up to May 31 and then till July 31. The new excise policy, proposed by the Delhi government led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, is yet to be approved.

“There is little time left for the 2022-23 policy to be brought in, so the existing policy is likely to be extended for the third time now,” the official said, seeking anonymity. “This is because some issues with the 2022-23 excise policy, which has been in the works since May this year, have remained unresolved.”

There are 468 stores selling alcoholic beverages in Delhi against a sanctioned strength of 849.

Several liquor shops in the city have stopped replenishing their inventories, leading to a scarcity of premium brands such as Black Label, Johnnie Walker, Red Label, Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, among others.