How Delhi's new excise policy sinks spirits of private liquor retailers

The new excise policy of the state government had allowed the entry of private liquor retailers for the first time

Delhi’s tipplers may be hiccupping away on historic discounts across a range of liquor brands, but private retailers aren’t raising a toast to the state’s new excise policy.

Trade sources confirm that licensees in nine of the 32 zones in the national capital have surrendered their retail licences and thus all these zones are without any liquor vends now. “South Delhi is the worst affected as retail outlets have either not opened or shut down after the new policy,” said a veteran trader, requesting anonymity.

Many licensees found the business unviable because of their inability to open all outlets allowed