NEW DELHI: Government-run liquor stores reopened to the capital after nearly 10 months on Thursday as the Delhi government made the transition to the old excise regime. More than 350 retail stores spread across the city, albeit with fewer brands, opened for business on September 1. Customers missed out on the benefits due to Special consumption policy 2021-22 – launching on November 17, 2021 – offers attractive programs and discounts and a better shopping experience due to larger stores.
After the excise tax policy for 2021-22 faced difficulties following allegations of procedural malpractice in its enforcement to extend undue benefits to some alcohol traders, the Delhi government has announced to withdraw from the old excise tax regime from September 1 and switch to the old excise tax regime. However, the old regime will remain in effect for only six months as the government has begun implementing a completely new policy.
While the government said its four conglomerates will open 500 new stores on September 1, senior excise bureau officials confirmed that more than 440 licenses have been issued to date and more than 350 the store has been opened.
A senior Delhi government official said: “The licensing process for retail stores is ongoing and we will cross the 500 mark in the next few days.
The Delhi government said that by the end of the year, the city will have 700 stores as the government has promised and announced the transition to the old regime.
Although some customers are worried about the availability of fewer brands, especially premium and beer brands, officials say many are being registered by the government. “We have registered about 400 trademarks and more are in the process of being processed. Some companies face technical problems related to their warehouses. That’s why the brand name. Their products are not reaching the stores. But all those problems are being solved,” another official said.
“Almost all popular brands will return in the coming days. It will take time as the next supply produces after the trademark is registered,” the official added.
To ensure that there are no supply issues, excise officials say there are more than 80,000 bottles available at the warehouses, which will meet the city’s demand for a week. An official said: “All stores have a stock of more than 35,000 bottles, especially those that run out quickly. Customers will not feel uncomfortable.”
Officials said the average daily alcohol consumption in September was estimated at around 40,000 bottles.
Industry players said they expect that the availability of brands will decrease over the next few days. “On the first day of reopening, approximately 275 stores have re-started their liquor business. It will take about 7-10 days for supply to stabilize at the proposed 500 stores,” said Nita Kapoor, Director. executive, said the International Liquor and Liquor Association of India.
Vinod Giri, the general manager of the Federation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies of India, said he expected availability to start to stabilize in the next few weeks. However, he added that closing alcohol shops at the airport is a difficult thing and the government needs to find a solution as soon as possible.
“Stores at all three domestic terminals have closed as they are run by private operators. It is ironic that after the success in Delhi, several airports across India have opened their doors. We hope that the government will deal with this issue with corporations and airport operators to find a preferred solution,” said Giri.
After the excise tax policy for 2021-22 faced difficulties following allegations of procedural malpractice in its enforcement to extend undue benefits to some alcohol traders, the Delhi government has announced to withdraw from the old excise tax regime from September 1 and switch to the old excise tax regime. However, the old regime will remain in effect for only six months as the government has begun implementing a completely new policy.
While the government said its four conglomerates will open 500 new stores on September 1, senior excise bureau officials confirmed that more than 440 licenses have been issued to date and more than 350 the store has been opened.
A senior Delhi government official said: “The licensing process for retail stores is ongoing and we will cross the 500 mark in the next few days.
The Delhi government said that by the end of the year, the city will have 700 stores as the government has promised and announced the transition to the old regime.
Although some customers are worried about the availability of fewer brands, especially premium and beer brands, officials say many are being registered by the government. “We have registered about 400 trademarks and more are in the process of being processed. Some companies face technical problems related to their warehouses. That’s why the brand name. Their products are not reaching the stores. But all those problems are being solved,” another official said.
“Almost all popular brands will return in the coming days. It will take time as the next supply produces after the trademark is registered,” the official added.
To ensure that there are no supply issues, excise officials say there are more than 80,000 bottles available at the warehouses, which will meet the city’s demand for a week. An official said: “All stores have a stock of more than 35,000 bottles, especially those that run out quickly. Customers will not feel uncomfortable.”
Officials said the average daily alcohol consumption in September was estimated at around 40,000 bottles.
Industry players said they expect that the availability of brands will decrease over the next few days. “On the first day of reopening, approximately 275 stores have re-started their liquor business. It will take about 7-10 days for supply to stabilize at the proposed 500 stores,” said Nita Kapoor, Director. executive, said the International Liquor and Liquor Association of India.
Vinod Giri, the general manager of the Federation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies of India, said he expected availability to start to stabilize in the next few weeks. However, he added that closing alcohol shops at the airport is a difficult thing and the government needs to find a solution as soon as possible.
“Stores at all three domestic terminals have closed as they are run by private operators. It is ironic that after the success in Delhi, several airports across India have opened their doors. We hope that the government will deal with this issue with corporations and airport operators to find a preferred solution,” said Giri.
