Delhi govt to bring new transparent excise policy, says CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi BJP government plans transparent, revenue-boosting excise policy, learning from other states' best practices, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirms.

The BJP government in Delhi will come up with a new "foolproof" excise policy, adopting best practices of other states to boost revenue, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has said.

In an interview with PTI, she said the policy will be transparent and tailored to ensure it does not create any issue in society.

The BJP came to power in Delhi in February this year, unseating the Aam Aadmi Party. The alleged irregularities and corruption in the excise policy 2021-22 brought by the previous AAP government was one of the major poll planks for the BJP. This policy was scrapped after the charges surfaced.

During her interview with PTI on Thursday (April 11, 2025), Ms. Gupta said, "We will bring a new, foolproof policy that is transparent and generates revenue for the government." The policy will be such that it does not cause any problems to the people and society at large, she said. "In some states, excise policies are doing fine. We will follow these best excise policies of different states."

The AAP replaced old excise policy in November 2021, implementing the new policy (2021-22) aimed at reforming liquor trade in Delhi. The policy, however, fell prey to allegations of irregularities and corruption.

A CBI probe was recommended by Lt Governor V K Saxena in July 2022 to look into the charges of irregularities and violation of rules in the formulation and implementation of the policy, soon after which the AAP government scrapped it.

Under the policy, private players were allowed to operate wholesale and retail liquor operations. The liquor vends were handed over to private companies and the government quit the business.