At Rs 7,484 crore, Delhi’s excise department sees highest-ever revenue collection

Amid ongoing uproar over CM Arvind Kerjiwal getting arrested in the liquor policy case, the Delhi excise department has collected its highest ever revenue under the old excise regime, crossing the Rs 7,000 crore figure for the first time, said officials.

According to data shared by the Delhi government, the department has collected revenue of Rs 7,484 crore, which also includes excise revenue and Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor in 2023-24. This is 10% higher than the Rs 6,830 crore collected in 2022-23.

“This is the highest ever excise revenue collection realised…,” said a senior officer, adding that the number of liquor shops and brands have also increased in the past couple of years. The old excise regime was brought back after the AAP government scrapped its ambitious new liquor policy in 2022. Now, only government liquor shops can operate in Delhi.