The Delhi Government has decided to approve a policy of opening of more retail vends of liquor in the private sector. The Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday approved a policy for opening of more liquor vends, especially on commercial roads and unauthorised colonies. Currently, out of 571 retail liquor vends, 351 vends are located in commercial areas, while 104 are located in notified areas/streets.

The remaining 116 vends are in non conforming areas-mixed land use. The growth of revenue collection from excise is over 23 per cent this year compared to the last financial year and the revenue collection has touched Rs 2,100 crore upto February 21. In other words, tipplers in Delhi are increasing every year. Similarly, demand of hard liquor is also increasing.

Top sources said that the decision was taken after it was observed that the number of vends in other metropolitan cities is much higher as compared to Delhi. In Mumbai, there are 1,000 vends per 10 million population, whereas in Delhi it is 500 for similar size of population. If the approximate population of Delhi is taken to be 1.70 crore, the number of vends per 10 million population comes out to be 328 which is less than one third of the number of vends in Mumbai. In Bangalore, there are 896 retail liquor shops against the approximate population of 96 lakh. Thus, the number of retail liquor shops per 10 million populations comes out to be around 900 which is 2.7 times that in Delhi. After liberalising the excise rules, the Government has allowed liquor shops in departmental stores and shopping malls last year.

According to a proposed note, 54 vends are needed across the city while there is no requirement of liquor vends in three districts — New Delhi, Central and West Delhi. A district like north east needs a maximum of 27 vends, while east needs 6; north 3, south west 4  and south 6. Beside this, a proposal of 34 vends for country made liquor in unauthorised colonies has been received by the Government.

Political opposition began after the Government went on a shop-opening spree in this excise year and decided to do away with the NOC from the local MLA. More than 70 liquor shop were opened in a span of over six months in 2005. After political opposition, DDA had suggested that new retail liquor shops should not be permitted on the notified commercial streets on September 25, 2008.  Sources said that there is a great demand in unauthorsied colonies for retail liquor vends. A presentation was made by the excise department before chief secretary last year and it was suggested that the Government should allow opening of retail country vends in resettlement colony and JJ slum dwellers.

According to Health Minister Ashok Kumar Walia, the Government wants to provide quality liquor to avoid another hooch tragedy in the Capital.