Amid the row over the liquor policy, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday rejected a proposal for the allotment of five shops to Delhi Government-run DSIIDC and DTTDC for opening liquor vends for the sale of retail liquor in the area, under its jurisdiction, during the council meeting.

The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) on August 16 also wrote a letter to the municipal council requesting the allotment of shops for opening vends in Lutyens' Delhi.  Member of the NDMC, Kuljeet Singh Chahal said that due to the controversy over the excise policy in the national capital, the council has rejected the proposal for the allotment of the shops for opening liquor vends in the New Delhi area, to the Delhi Government-run corporations. “The council will only take the decision on the matter after the detailed study of the situation in the capital.

Till then the council is rejecting the proposal,” Chahal said. As per the letter written by the DTTDC to the NDMC,  the new liquor policy will come into force with effect from September 1, as per which the four Corporations under Delhi government, namely DTTDC, DSIIDC, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (DSCSC), Delhi Consumer's Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd. (DCCWS) will run liquor vends.

“It is understood that one shop at Janpath, and two shops at Palika Bazar, are presently vacant.

It is requested to take up the matter with the competent authority so that these shops may be allotted to DTTDC on a rental basis for the retail sale of liquor,” it read.

In a letter written by the DSIIDC, it is to inform that the excise department has reverted to the old policy regime wherein the Government corporations have to resume liquor retail activity. A list of vacant shops available with the NDMC was obtained by the DSIIDC.

The officers of the DSIIDC visited the shops situated in the NDMC area and found the following two suitable for opening liquor shops including, space at Palika Parking and Shop number 61 Yashwant Place. “It is also informed that as per the general policy of the corporation monthly rent at the rate of 12.5 per cent of the gross profit of the shop is paid in respect of rented premises. Accordingly, it is requested that the shop may be allotted to DSIIDC for the opening of liquor shops,” it further read.