Delhi government directs all government liquor shops to stock

According to the new excise policy of the Delhi government, liquor will be sold in Delhi from November 17. But on September 30, private liquor shops will remain closed. Around 260 privately run liquor shops will be closed in the city. Out of the total 850 liquor shops in Delhi, retail sale of liquor operated by agencies of Delhi government will continue till November 16.

In such a situation, private liquor shops are no longer asking for new stock of liquor and the remaining stock is also running out fast. But a problem for many shopkeepers is that these shops are going to be closed forever.

Consumers have started experiencing shortage as their favorite liquor brands are missing due to closure of business by privately run liquor shops.

Several liquor lovers were seen returning empty handed at a private liquor shop on Vikas Marg in East Delhi. He said he was told that whiskey or vodka brands were not available there.

An employee managing the sales counter of the vendor said, “Our boss has told us to sell whatever is in stock and close the shop. We have already sold all other liquor and now only beer is left. “

Liquor shops in Mayur Vihar’s Star City Mall were also rapidly evacuating their shutters before closing them permanently.

The manager of a liquor store in the mall said, “We are sorry to return our regular customers as the stock is running low. After the government decided to close the private shops, we started re-stocking and placing new orders. has been closed.”

A senior official of the Excise Department said that steps are being taken to ensure that there is no shortage of liquor by strengthening retail sales from government shops.

“It is a transition period of one-and-a-half months after which things will return to normal. We have already asked government agencies running liquor shops to maintain stock as per demand till November 16,” the official said.

Naresh Goyal, president of Delhi Liquor Traders Association, said that in some areas like Saket, private liquor shops have already closed their shops after selling the remaining stock.

“The shortage is bound to be due to better stock of private shops. Closing all private shops in the city at once will create shortage as government shops cannot meet the demand as they too are in the process of closing before November 17. I am in.” Goyal said.

Amit Sharma, president of the Delhi Liquor Sales Association, which represents workers at liquor shops in the city, claimed that around 3,000 people would be out of jobs once the private stores were shut.

There will be no retail sale of liquor in 26 out of 272 wards of the Municipal Corporation due to the closure of private contracts on 30 September. Also, there are no liquor shops in 80 wards.

Delhi government’s new excise policy seeks to ensure equitable distribution by dividing liquor shops into 32 zones across the city.

There will be around 27 liquor shops in each zone covering 8-10 wards which will provide the customers with the experience and choice of their favorite brands..

with agency input