NEW DELHI: Delhi govt has extended the existing 2020-21 excise policy, which was set to expire on March 31 this year, up to March 31, 2027, to ensure continuity of the policy and prevent disruption in liquor supply in the capital as the new excise policy is yet to be approved by govt. This is the longest extension of the old excise policy.“It has been decided by the competent authority to renew all existing L-15/L-15F and L-16/ L-16F licences for the period w.e.f. 01.04.2026 to 31.03.2027 on the payment of a licence fee and additional fee. All the licensees of L-15/L-15F and L-16/ L-16F are hereby directed to submit their application for renewal of licence online w.e.f. 01.04.2026 to 31.03.2027,” a circular, issued by the excise department on Feb 25, said.Similar circulars were issued for renewal of L-17/ L-17F, L-18/L-18F, L-19/L-19F and L-20/L-20F licences, which are issued to restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels.TOI reported on Feb 21 that the govt was likely to extend the policy for a year.Officials said that over 95% of hotels, clubs and restaurants have already renewed their licences following the circular. According to Delhi govt, there are 1,017 such licences issued in the capital.However, the circular for renewal of retail liquor store licences is yet to be issued. “The circular for the retail stores is likely to be issued after Holi. The existing retail licences are already valid till March 31, so there is no fear of liquor supply disruption,” an official said.Delhi has 714 retail liquor stores. These vends are operated by govt corporations including 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). Although the 2020-21 policy allows private vendors to run retail liquor stores, no decision has been taken on how to operationalise that model. It is expected to be done when the revised policy is notified.The 2020-21 excise policy, which regulates the sale and purchase of liquor, was in force in Delhi in Sept 2022 after the 2021–22 excise policy drafted and implemented by the then AAP govt was scrapped amid allegations of irregularities. After CBI initiated a probe, govt reverted to the 2020–21 policy in Sept 2022.The new policy, though drafted, is yet to be approved by govt.
