By Nidhi Sharma | New Delhi
Delhi is gearing up for a major revamp of its liquor policy, which will finally allow the sale of premium liquor brands at government vends and the opening of exclusive beer bars in the capital. The new excise policy, currently in its final stage of approval, marks a significant shift in how Delhi plans to modernize its liquor trade and compete with neighboring Gurgaon.
Key Changes in the New Policy
The newly formed BJP government in Delhi has decided to introduce three major changes in the existing excise structure:
Abolishing fixed retail margins on premium liquor bottles – This move aims to make high-end brands more affordable and on par with prices in Gurgaon.
Imposing excise duty on Bhutanese and Nepalese liquor brands – These brands currently enjoy duty-free status, making them cheaper than Indian-made products.
Introducing a new beer policy – This will likely allow the setting up of dedicated beer bars across the city.
Government Retains Control Over Liquor Trade
Despite the new reforms, Delhi’s liquor trade will continue to be state-controlled. The sale and distribution will remain under the four government-run corporations:
Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC)
Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC)
Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS)
Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC)
No private liquor vends will be permitted at this stage. Officials said the new policy will be implemented for one year, and adjustments will be made if any issues arise.
Premium Liquor to Be Competitively Priced
Currently, Delhi’s fixed retail margins make premium liquor costlier than in Gurgaon. For example, the existing system adds ₹50 per bottle on Indian-made foreign liquor and ₹100 per bottle on imported liquor.
In contrast, Gurgaon allows private vendors to set flexible prices, often offering discounts to attract customers. This pricing gap has made many premium brands unavailable in Delhi, as government stores stopped stocking them.
By removing the fixed margin, Delhi aims to bring back premium brands and make them competitively priced, matching neighboring markets.
Excise Duty on Bhutanese and Nepalese Beer
Another issue the government plans to tackle is the influx of cheaper Bhutanese and Nepalese beer. These imports currently evade excise duties, giving them an unfair price advantage over Indian beer brands that face up to 150% excise duty.
The new policy will introduce an excise duty on these imported brands to create a level playing field for Indian brewers.
No Change in Legal Drinking Age
The government has decided not to reduce the legal drinking age from 25 years, considering it a politically sensitive issue.
