The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has written to the Excise Department of the Delhi Government seeking its urgent attention for the disposal of the unsold stocks.

The  Delhi Government had on November 17, 2021 brought Excise Policy 2021-22, which ended the near absolute monopoly of the Government in sale of liquor, opening the tightly guarded revenue stream to private players, with the city for a brief period seeing opening of fancier liquor shops. This policy was withdrawn in July after the Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI probe in its implementation accusing government of committing irregularities. The old excise Policy, operational before November 17, 2021, was brought back from September 1. “The matter of stocks leftover in L1 warehouses of companies on 17 November 2021 when the policy changed is yet to be resolved. “Excise department had allowed companies to transfer these stock to their new L1 licensees but permission to sell it was not granted despite such assurance," said Vinod Giri, Director General CIABC. 

"Both leftover stocks are partly due to the fact that on both policy changeover occasions, the companies responded to the appeal by the government to ensure sufficient product supplies during the transition periods and thus it is only fair that the government resolves this matter on priority," said Giri in his letter to the Excise Commissioner.

A senior Delhi government officer said that the matter was under consideration and a decision was yet to be taken about the leftover stock. "The stock comprised about 70 lakh bottles of liquor.

The Excise department was learnt to be in favour of allowing sale of stock of liquor brands registered under excise policy implemented from September 1. "A decision about stock of those brands that were yet not re-registered is yet to be taken," said officer. If the stock is not allowed to be sold, then it will require to be destroyed as liquor can not be sold without a legitimate license, officials said.