Delhi govt earns excise revenue of Rs 768 crore in one month under old policy

New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government has earned a revenue of Rs 768 crore in one month under the old excise policy regime with the retail liquor business being expanded by its four undertakings across the city.

“Under the existing policy implemented from September 1, a revenue of Rs 768 crore has been earned including Rs 460 crore as excise duty and an estimated amount of Rs 140 crore as VAT,” a senior Delhi government official said.

Under the existing policy, four corporations of the Delhi government -- DTTDC, DSIIDC, DSCSC, DCCWS -- have opened retail vends across the city. The profit earned from the four corporations was Rs 40 crore, reported news agency PTI citing the officer.

So far, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) and Delhi Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS) have opened 400 liquor shops in the city, the officials said, adding that the number will go up to 700 by the year end.

More than 500 brands of different liquors have also been registered by the Excise Department and the number will rise further with more registrations, they said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government reverted back to the old excise regime from September 1 after withdrawing its new Excise Policy 2021-22 implemented from November 17, 2021.

The new policy (2021-22) was withdrawn by the Delhi government after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s recommendation for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in its implementation in July.

Under the Excise Policy 2021-22, the first quarter revenue in 2022-23 was Rs 1,485 crore, which was 37.51 percent less than the budget estimates of Rs 2,375 crore, the officials said.