Delhi govt collects Rs 1,700 crore in excise duty, VAT

The Excise department of the Delhi government has earned approximately Rs 1,700 crore in excise duty and value added tax during the first quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year, official data shows.
According to data, in the previous fiscal year of 2022-23, the Excise department generated a total of Rs 6,821 crore through the sale of over 62 crore bottles of liquor. This figure comprised Rs 5,548.48 crore from excise duty and Rs 1,272.52 crore from value added tax.
Officials anticipate a growth in revenue collection over the coming months due to the opening of additional liquor shops. They explain that beer, which has a lower excise duty, is typically preferred by customers during the summer season. Consequently, revenue collection is relatively lower in the first half of the financial year compared to the second half when whisky sales tend to dominate.
The Delhi government operates 574 liquor shops through various entities including the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation, and Delhi Consumers’ Cooperative Wholesale Stores. Additionally, more than 930 hotels, clubs, and restaurants in the city serve liquor.
In its budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Delhi government has projected a total excise collection of Rs 7,365 crore, which accounts for nearly 14 percent of its tax revenue amounting to Rs 53,565 crore. (With inputs from PTI)