The Delhi government has launched a new portal called ‘e-ABkari’ to help regulate the liquor business in the city. This portal is currently running on a trial basis to identify any issues before its full launch, according to a senior official.
The e-ABkari portal replaces the older Excise Supply Chain Management System (ESCIMS), which has been in use since 2012-13. Developed by the National Informatics Centre, the new system will streamline various processes related to liquor licensing, order placement, and permit management.
Once fully operational, the e-ABkari portal aims to oversee the entire liquor trading process in Delhi. License holders will receive a login ID and password to manage their orders and renewals online. Some licensees have already started using the portal to place orders, with deliveries expected soon.
Officials noted that the e-ABkari system has been successfully implemented in other states, and its introduction in Delhi is modeled after the Punjab system. The trial involves ten liquor vendors from four government corporations and 33 other licensees.
The transition to e-ABkari follows issues with the ESCIMS portal, which experienced glitches last month, resulting in a revenue loss of about ₹300 crore and a significant drop in daily liquor sales.
