The national capital has been experiencing “Dry Day”-like circumstances for several days now, despite the two-month extension of the current excise policy 2021–2022.
There are long lines outside the few remaining stores in some parts of the city, which are seeing heavy foot traffic.
The most affluent parts of the city, including South Extension, Safdarjung Enclave, Punjabi Bagh, Greater Kailash, CR Park, Kamla Nagar, Model Town, and some areas of East Delhi, are experiencing a severe shortage of alcohol due to the closure of the majority of the local outlets.
A source claims that the four corporations under the control of the Delhi government — the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIDC), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC), and Delhi Consumers Cooperative Wholesale Store (DCCWS) — have been given the responsibility to establish liquor stores throughout the city.
Speaking of the excise policy that will take effect on September 1st, Giri said there is not much time left and a lot of work needs to be done to re-implement the old policy, such as opening stores, wholesale depots, setting prices, getting rid of unsold inventory, etc.
The structured withdrawal plan, according to industry experts, makes it less desirable for retailers to buy inventory in the final few days before the old excise policy takes effect.
“We are worried about the availability of alcohol in the final few days of the transition period and for a while after that. Retailers should not purchase stock in the last 10 days in accordance with the structured withdrawal plan because the national capital may run out of supplies, CIABC Director Vinod Giri told IANS.
