Delhi Excise Revenue Rises to 1038 Crore Rupees After Policy Extension
The Delhi government's excise revenue increased by nearly 17 percent during April and May of the current financial year, reaching ₹1,038 crore. Officials attributed this growth in Delhi to improved availability of popular liquor brands and greater market stability after the government extended the existing excise policy for a full year.
According to official figures shared by government officials, the excise department collected ₹1,038 crore in April and May combined. This is a significant rise from the ₹885 crore collected during the same period last year. The collections were also higher than the ₹922 crore recorded during April-May 2024, indicating a steady increase in excise receipts over the past two years.
Officials stated that the revenue rise was largely driven by reduced uncertainty among liquor license holders and suppliers. Previously, the government issued short-term extensions of three months. However, the decision to extend the current policy for an entire year instead of short-term periods created a sense of security and ensured continuity in the liquor supply.
The extensions mean that Delhi continues to operate under the 2020-21 excise policy, which was reinstated after the withdrawal of the 2021-22 policy. This policy has been extended multiple times under previous administrations and has now been extended three times under the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration.
Industry representatives noted that improved product availability was another key factor behind the rise in collections. Vinod Giri from the Brewers Association of India stated that the availability of renowned brands increased from approximately 24 percent last year to 54 percent this year. Giri added that renowned brands are better equipped to meet consumer demand and noted that the department took action against practices that promoted only certain brands.
Currently, liquor retail in Delhi is entirely controlled by government-run outlets. The city has more than 700 liquor vends operated by four government agencies: the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation, and Delhi Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Store.
While the city awaits a new excise policy, the BJP government, which assumed office in February 2025, has constituted a committee to frame a new regulatory framework. The panel has held consultations with manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, though officials indicated that the new policy is still some distance away.
