Due to the delay in preparing the new excise policy, the Delhi government has decided to extend the existing excise policy for one year. According to officials, this extension will be applicable for 2026-27. According to the order issued by the Excise Department, renewal of retail liquor license and new licenses will be given under the old terms and conditions only. This includes licenses of L-6, L-6FG, L-6FE, L-8, L-10, L-14, L-23, L-23F and L-30 categories, which will continue on the existing terms till 2025-26. The department has also clarified that separate circulars will be issued soon for various licenses related to sale of IMFL, foreign liquor, beer and country liquor.
The period has been extended earlier also
Earlier, excise licenses for hotels, clubs and restaurants have also been extended till March 2027 on existing terms. At the same time, in June 2024, the government had decided to continue the duty-based policy implemented from 2022-23 till 2025-26.
Status of liquor shops in Delhi
At present, about 725 retail liquor shops are operating in the capital, which are run by four government agencies:
Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation i.e. DTTDC
Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation i.e. DSCSC
Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation i.e. DSIIDC
Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Stores i.e. DCCWS
Work continues on new policy
The current policy is in force from 2023-24, when the new excise policy allowing private players in 2022 was withdrawn due to allegations of irregularities. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has instructed officials to prepare a draft of the new policy. The aim of the government is to ensure availability of better quality liquor with transparency. The group of ministers formed to finalize the new policy has submitted its recommendations, but its final draft has not been released yet.