Delhi Govt To Formally Exit Liquor Business. Stores To Be Replaced With Private Walk-In Shops

As per the new excise policy by the Government put out in public domain in July this year, like shopping malls, swanky walk-in liquor stores will be set up in 32 zones in the city.

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New Delhi: Around 600 state-run liquor stores will shut on Tuesday, with the Delhi government deciding to formally exit the liquor business. As per the new excise policy, these stores will be replaced with new, swanky and walk-in liquor stores owned privately, PTI reported.

The PTI quoted one of the officials of the government who said that this is the first time that all the state owned liquor stores were going to be shut and the business completely transferred to the private players. 

As per the new excise policy by the Government put out in the public domain in July this year, like shopping malls, swanky walk-in liquor stores will be set up in 32 zones in the city. People would be able to shop for the brand of liquor as per their choice in the walk-in stores, unlike the grilled shops that used to result in crowding around the shop and pavements. 

Through the new excise policy, the Government aimed at revolutionising customer experience with shops spread over an area of 500 square feet. It also stipulates that the shops are installed with air conditioners and CCTV cameras. 

The Delhi government, through an open tender, has given 850 liquor vends, including 260-odd outlets run privately, to private players under the new excise policy. The Government-owned liquor shops that were operating in the transition period of one and a half months will get closed from tonight, whereas privately owned ones had been shut on September 30. 

The new license holders will start their operation in the city from Wednesday, November 17. 

The new excise policy would also allow the opening of five super-premium retail stores spread over an area of 2,500 square feet. The super-premium retail stores would provide with the facility of liquor tasting also.