The Delhi government recently shared big news: the rules about selling alcohol in the city aren’t changing just yet. The current system, where only government-run shops can sell liquor, will stay in place for nine more months. This means that until the end of March 2026, nothing will change for the way liquor is sold in Delhi.
Why is this happening? The government has set up a special group to work on a new policy for selling alcohol. But since this group needs more time to make the new rules, the old ones will continue for now. The old policy was supposed to end on June 30, but now it will run until March 31, 2026.
What Does This Mean for Liquor Shops?
Under the current rules, only four government agencies are allowed to run liquor shops in Delhi. Here’s what you need to know:
- Only Government Shops: No private shops can sell liquor. Only shops run by government agencies are open.
- Who Runs Them: The four agencies are:
- Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC)
- Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS)
- Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC)
- Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC)
- Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC)
- Number of Shops: Right now, there are about 792 liquor shops in Delhi.
New Rules for Licences and Fees
The government has also explained how liquor shop licences will work during this extended period. Here are the main points:
- Licence Renewal: All licences that need to be renewed every year will stay valid for the next excise year (from July 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026).
- How to Pay the Licence Fee:
- Within 30 days of the new circular: Shop owners only need to pay a part of the licence fee, based on how long their licence is being renewed for.
- Between 30 and 60 days after the circular: Shop owners must pay the part of the licence fee, plus an extra 25% of that part.
- After 60 days: Shop owners have to pay the part of the licence fee, plus an extra 100% of that part.
- Within 30 days of the new circular: Shop owners only need to pay a part of the licence fee, based on how long their licence is being renewed for.
- Official Announcement: The excise department will send out official notices to explain these new rules to everyone involved.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
The main reason for extending the current policy is to give the government enough time to create a new, better policy. The special committee is working hard to make sure the new rules are clear, fair, and easy for everyone to follow. The government wants to make sure that when the new policy is ready, it will be good for both the people buying liquor and the agencies selling it.
What Happens Next?
For now, nothing will change for the people of Delhi. If you want to buy liquor, you’ll still go to the same government-run shops. The government is working on new rules, but until those are ready, everything stays as it is.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s happening:
- Current Policy Extended: The old rules will stay in place until March 31, 2026.
- Only Government Shops: No private shops can sell liquor.
- Licence Fees: Shop owners have new timelines for paying their licence fees.
- New Policy Coming: The government is working on a new policy, but it will take time.
