Delhi govt’s excise revenue rises to Rs 7,766 crore in 2024-25: Officials

Excise revenue in Delhi has shown a significant rebound over the past three years, rising to approximately Rs 7,766 crore in 2024-25, according to official data shared on Thursday.

The figure marks a notable increase from Rs 6,762 crore recorded in 2021-22, signaling a gradual recovery from the disruptions triggered by the controversy surrounding the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.

The upward trend in revenue has been consistent. In 2022-23, the excise collections touched Rs 6,830 crore, followed by Rs 7,430.97 crore in 2023-24, and Rs 7,765.97 crore in the current fiscal year. Officials noted that the final revenue figure for 2024-25 may see a slight uptick, as the current data only covers collections till February.

The excise revenue includes both excise duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor sales, which collectively recorded over 15% growth since 2021-22.

In the absence of a new excise policy, the Delhi government last month extended the existing regime — often referred to as the “old excise policy” — by another three months. This policy has been in place since September 2022, following the withdrawal of the Aam Aadmi Party’s reform-oriented 2021-22 policy, which was shelved amid allegations of procedural irregularities.

Since then, the old policy has been repeatedly extended, while a new framework remains under formulation.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently said that her administration is in the process of drafting a “foolproof and transparent” excise policy aimed at boosting state revenue. She said the new policy would draw inspiration from the best practices followed in other states.

Meanwhile, under the extended policy, more than 700 retail liquor outlets across Delhi continue to be operated by four state-run corporations.

(With inputs from PTI)