Delhi may soon put an end to one of the most common frustrations for consumers—walking into multiple liquor stores only to find their preferred brand out of stock. The Delhi government is working on a new, technology-driven excise policy that promises to make alcohol retailing more transparent, predictable, and consumer-friendly.
If implemented as proposed, buying liquor in the capital could become as seamless as ordering groceries online.
A Digital Reset for Liquor Sales
According to officials, the government has constituted a special committee to draft the new excise policy. The core objective is to move liquor sales toward a fully digital, data-backed system, addressing long-standing issues such as uneven stock distribution, lack of consumer visibility, and limited grievance redressal.
Rather than relying on manual reporting and on-ground assumptions, the new framework aims to use real-time data to guide supply decisions.
Mobile App: Check Stock, Pre-Book, Pick Up
At the heart of the proposed policy is a dedicated mobile application for consumers.
Through the app, users may be able to:
Check real-time stock of liquor brands at nearby stores
Locate mapped outlets based on their current location
Pre-book popular brands to avoid disappointment at the counter
This could significantly reduce queues, uncertainty, and last-minute rushes—especially during weekends and festive seasons.
Out of Stock? Tell the Government Directly
One of the most notable features under discussion is demand tracking.
If a consumer searches for a particular brand on the app and finds it unavailable, that data would be recorded and shared directly with the government. Over time, this would help authorities understand:
Which brands are most in demand
Where supply gaps are recurring
How stocking patterns can be corrected
Based on these insights, shops could be directed to align inventory more closely with actual consumer demand.
Built-In Grievance Redressal
The draft policy is also expected to include a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism within the digital ecosystem. This would allow consumers to flag issues related to availability, pricing, or store-level irregularities without navigating complex offline processes.
The intent is to improve accountability while giving consumers a direct voice.
What’s the Timeline?
Sources indicate that the draft excise policy could be released by January 2026. The government plans to place it in the public domain, invite feedback and suggestions, and only then finalize the framework.
This consultative approach suggests that consumer experience will play a central role in shaping the final policy.
