The liquor industry in the country’s capital has sought the intervention of the Delhi government to dispose of the remaining stock of about 70 lakh unsold liquor bottles. The reason for this remaining stock is to change the excise policy.
New Delhi: The liquor industry has sought the intervention of the Delhi government to dispose of the remaining stock of about 70 lakh unsold liquor bottles. The reason for this remaining stock is to change the excise policy. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has written to the Excise Department, Government of Delhi, seeking immediate attention for disposal of unsold stock.
The settlement of the remaining stock of the companies was not resolved
The Delhi government came out with the Excise Policy 2021-22 on November 17, 2021, which ended the government’s almost complete monopoly in the sale of liquor, along with liberalizing the strict revenue regime for private companies, which shops in the city for a brief period. was open to The policy was withdrawn in July when the Lt Governor recommended a CBI inquiry into its implementation, alleging irregularities in the government.
The old excise policy, implemented before November 17, 2021, was brought back from September 1. Vinod Giri, Director General, CIABC said, “When the policy was changed on November 17, 2021, the issue of disposal of left over stock in L-One godowns of companies is yet to be resolved.
“The Excise Department had allowed the companies to transfer this stock to their new L-One licensees, but despite such assurances, it was not allowed to be sold,” he said, a senior Delhi government official. Said that the matter is under consideration and a decision is yet to be taken regarding the disposal of the remaining stock.
70 lakh liquor bottles lying for sale in stock
“There were about 70 lakh bottles of liquor in stock. The excise department is believed to be in favor of allowing the sale of stock of registered liquor brands under the excise policy, which came into force from September 1.
“A decision is yet to be taken regarding the stock of those brands which are yet to be re-registered,” the official said. cannot be sold without a valid license.
The CIABC said that under the policy with effect from September 1, 2022, the brand license fee for whiskey brands made in India is Rs 25 lakh per brand per year, as against just Rs 1 lakh under the policy effective earlier. Despite less than seven months remaining in this excise year, the brand license fee which has to be paid for the whole year is being charged in full.
Giri urged the government to allow licensees to sell the remaining stock for at least two months or till the stock runs out. Giri said that the excise duty that will be paid on these remaining stock of liquor will increase the government revenue and will help in addressing the major liquor shortage in the city.
