Product prominence of microbreweries in Delhi is likely to gain prominence in the financial year 2022-23. The government is going to reduce the excise duty on the product of microbreweries from Rs 40 per liter to Rs 30 per litre.
The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to suggest a new excise policy has made a recommendation in this regard. Under this, fresh beer from microbreweries will be promoted. It will be made easy to transport them to other restaurants. The GoM has suggested that the Excise Department set up a separate mechanism to ensure its regular supply.
GOM believes that fresh beer is a very popular brand. Experts say that its non-availability affects the sales in the restaurant-bar. There has been no registration for microbreweries with fresh beer in Delhi since November 2021, when new liquor shops were registered in the capital Delhi under the Delhi Excise Policy-2021. There is only one microbreweries for fresh beer in Delhi.
At the same time, Delhi Pradesh Congress President Anil Chaudhary alleged that people in Delhi are facing inflation and economic crisis, and the government’s focus is only on selling liquor. Instead of development, the government is trying to deliver liquor from door to door. Efforts are being made to serve liquor to people of all ages with a simple process in order to earn extra revenue. This will turn Delhi into a drug capital. He said that the Delhi government is preparing a new Excise Policy 2022-23, under which arrangements will be made to buy liquor as well as drink at liquor shops. Cigarettes, alcoholic chocolates and other items will be found here.
BJP has accused the Delhi government of deliberately violating the rules and opening liquor shops. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has demanded the government to formulate a liquor policy for the new financial year with the advice of experts. He said that liquor contracts cannot be opened in the areas declared for industry and residential areas under the master plan.
Due to the opposition of BJP, many liquor contracts opened in violation of the rules have been sealed. It is wrong to allow wine tasting in new contracts. This will lead to crowds of drinkers on contract. Due to this there will be law and order problem. Along with the legal department, the town planner of the municipal corporation, the commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority and the police commissioner should also be talked to.
