No new excise policy, current one to continue till March '26

With no clarity on a new excise policy that has been under preparation for over 33 months, the Delhi government on Friday extended the existing liquor policy till March 2026 — one of the longest such extensions since the scrapping of the 2021-22 excise regime in September 2022 following allegations of irregularities.

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI:

The extension means the city will continue to operate under the 2020-21 policy — which has already been extended five times. The move, officials said, was necessary to ensure uninterrupted liquor supply as the current extension was set to expire on June 30.

"The competent authority has granted approval for continuation of the excise duty-based regime... for the excise year 2025-26 (July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026)," said a June 27 order issued by the excise department. It confirmed that wholesale licenses (L-1, L-1F), retail (L-2), hotel, club, and restaurant licenses would be renewed on existing terms upon payment of the applicable fees.

An excise official said licensees across all categories will need to renew their permits to continue operations, including government-run liquor vends.