High Court Seeks Response From Delhi Government On Plea Against New Excise Policy

Delhi government has stated that its new Excise Policy 2021-22 aimed at minimizing corruption and providing fair competition in liquor trade and that all apprehensions against it were only fanciful.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response from Delhi government on a fresh petition challenging the New Excise Policy 2021. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to Delhi government on the petition filed by Delhi Liquor Sales Association and listed the matter for further hearing on August 27. In its petition, the sales association has claimed that the new policy is self-contradictory, self-destructive and ultra vires the Delhi Excise Act and the Constitution. The petition filed through advocate Shailen Bhatia argued that the policy is anti-poor, anti-lower strata and against middle class members of the public of Delhi.