Nearly 50% of Delhi’s hotels, clubs, and restaurants (HCR) with liquor licenses have applied for renewal following the excise department’s circular mandating fresh licenses. Approximately 40% of the 713 government-run retail liquor outlets have also initiated the process, ensuring no imminent disruption in liquor supply, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The urgency stems from the impending June 30 expiration of existing licenses, issued in March. Without renewal, establishments risk losing the ability to procure or serve liquor from July 1 onward.
The Delhi government recently extended the current liquor policy until March 2026, marking one of the longest extensions since the contentious 2021-22 excise policy was shelved. Despite a streamlined e-Abkari portal for document submission and payment, some restaurant owners criticized the short notice, citing operational challenges over the weekend.
Industry leaders, including Sandeep Anand Goyle of NRAI, called for swift finalization of a new excise policy to bolster investment and curb business migration to neighboring cities.
Excise officials reassured applicants, promising priority processing for submissions made before the deadline, ensuring uninterrupted operations for compliant establishments.
