Delhi introduces e-Abkari for liquor trade

The Delhi government's excise department has launched a trial run of its new online platform- e-Abkari to regulate the liquor trade across the national capital. Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the platform is set to replace the current Excise Supply Chain Management System (ESCIMS) of the capital, once fully operational.

The e-Abkari platform will track the entire liquor supply chain from distilleries to retail outlets, including liquor stores, hotels, clubs, and restaurants. Liquor retailers operating in Delhi will be able to monitor their stock, place orders, generate transit passes for transporting inventory, and apply for or renew excise licenses all through the new platform.

The Delhi government opted for the e-Abkari platform after studying the technology used in 10 other states. The need for a new system became more pressing after the ESCIMS portal malfunctioned last month, causing widespread liquor shortages. Many retailers reported difficulty placing new stock orders even after ESCIMS was restored to partial functionality.