Liquor supplies likely to be hit as Delhi rolls back new excise policy

The liquor supplies in Delhi are likely to be affected with the state government announcing its decision to withdraw the new excise policy for the time being. Delhi's deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, on Saturday announced the withdrawal and stated that the Delhi chief secretary has been directed to make certain that the sale of liquor takes place only through government-run shops.

Targeting the BJP, he alleged they were "running an illegal liquor business in Gujarat" and they wanted to do it now in Delhi also.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Sisodia alleged that the political party was using agencies like the CBI and ED to threaten liquor licensees, many of whom have now shut shops, and the excise officials who were scared to start open auctions of retail licences.



"They want to create a shortage of liquor so that they can run an illegal liquor trade in Delhi like they are doing in Gujarat. But we will not let this happen," news agency PTI reported Sisodia as saying.

Under the new excise policy, nearly 468 liquor stores are running in Delhi at present. The policy, that extended twice after April 30 for a two-month period each, will end on July 31.

(With inputs from agencies)