• Source:JND
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Delhi Government Liquor Policy: The Delhi government announced on Friday that it will extend its current excise policy, under which only government-run liquor stores are permitted in the city, for an additional nine months, until March 31, 2026. 

According to officials, the Delhi government has set up a high-level committee to draft a new excise policy, which will require time to finalise its guidelines and framework. In the meantime, with the current policy set to expire on June 30, the excise department has decided to extend the existing regime, under which four government corporations operate liquor outlets in the city.

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“The Competent Authority has granted approval for continuation of the Excise Duty Based Regime which is in effect from licensing year 2022-23. (which was continued in 2023-24 and 2024-25) for Excise Year 2025-26 (w.ef. 01.07.2025 to 31.03.2026), for grant of wholesale licenses on basis of same terms and conditions and accordingly new L-1, L-1F, L-2 Licenses are allowed on same terms and conditions of Excise Duty Based Regime,” a notification issued by Tanvir Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner, Excise, on Friday reads, according to the Indian Express report. 

The notification stated that the terms and conditions of all licences, which are renewed annually, will also remain in effect for the excise year 2025-26, in accordance with the following timelines:

1. Within 30 days of the issuance of the circular: Licensees are required to pay only the applicable pro-rata licence fee based on their licence category.

2. Between 30 and 60 days from the date of the circular: Licensees must pay the pro-rata licence fee along with an additional 25% of the annual pro-rata licence fee.

3. After 60 days: Licensees will be required to pay the pro-rata licence fee plus an additional 100% of the annual pro-rata licence fee.

Meanwhile, the excise department has directed the relevant branches responsible for handling the issuance and renewal of licences and permits to release the necessary circulars outlining these updates.

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At present, Delhi has approximately 792 liquor shops, all operated by four government agencies: the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), and the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC).