Trouble mounts for AAP's new liquor policy as license surrendering continues

Trouble continues to mount for the Delhi government's new liquor policy as businesses continue to surrender their licenses due to lower revenue and unfair competition in the market.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has been receiving a massive backlash over its new liquor policy. As the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) continues its probe, more and more businessmen continue to surrender their licenses as uncertainty prevails. Lower revenue and unfair competition in the market have been among their major concerns.

From 2001 to 2021, the liquor business was never an issue in Delhi, but the new policy has brought new tensions for people in this business. The policy has become a political issue with Congress and BJP opposing it on moral and ethical grounds. Meanwhile, the Lt Governor of Delhi also recommended a CBI inquiry.

The L-G house claims that there are clear-cut violations of clauses of the New Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 that prohibit the emergence of monopolies and cartels in the liquor business. The clauses say that no entity will be allotted more than two zones.

Another worry for businessmen is whether or not the new policy will be carried forward. On the condition of anonymity, a vendor associated with the business told India Today that work has to begin on renewal 10 days before the term ends, but they have not received any response so far.

Delhi has not notified the terms and conditions for the current financial year since the old ones expired at the end of the financial year in March. Since then, there have been two extensions given to the older rules but those too will expire on July 31.

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