Delhi to finalise new excise policy by June 30

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has recently announced that the city’s new liquor policy will be ready by June 30. The new policy, she said, will focus on transparency, quality control, curbing illegal liquor trade, and digitisation of the sales system, while aiming to boost state revenue and ensure social security.

A high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has been formed to draft the policy. The panel includes officials from the Finance Department, the Excise Commissioner, and other departments. They are studying successful models from other states to incorporate best practices that ensure regulation, consumer safety, and control of illicit liquor, officials said.

Gupta assured that the new excise policy will be free from corruption, restore public trust, and prioritise both revenue enhancement and social responsibility. "The policy is not merely a financial document. It will maintain social balance and accountability and ensure there’s no compromise on the health, safety, and peace of weaker sections of the society," said CM Gupta. She added that the government would run public awareness campaigns against alcohol abuse and tighten monitoring of public consumption.