# Delhi liquor prices set to rise from October under new excise policy

2026-09-28T05:21:32+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The Delhi government plans to raise excise duty and retail margins on liquor under a new excise policy expected to be notified in October, ahead of the festive season. The final draft is ready and will be sent to the Delhi Cabinet and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu for approval once a new excise commissioner is appointed, officials told The Indian Express. Current retail margins are fixed at Rs 50 per bottle for Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Rs 100 for foreign liquor. Raising these margins aims to upgrade government-run liquor shops and attract more customers. The entry of private players is unlikely. The policy also seeks to allow premium imported liquor priced above Rs 1,000, which currently drives consumers to Gurugram and Faridabad due to fixed margins.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both outlets report the same facts from the same Indian Express story, making the coverage uniform straight reporting with no discernible stance difference. The balanced reading is that the policy aims to increase revenue by raising excise duty and retail margins while also permitting premium imported liquor sales to stem leakage to Gurugram and Faridabad. The key implication is that consumers face higher prices on mass-market liquor but may gain access to premium brands in Delhi. The final draft awaits appointment of a new excise commissioner, after which it goes to the Delhi Cabinet and Lieutenant Governor for approval, with notification expected in October.

## Coverage

- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/your-booze-could-cost-more-in-delhi-this-festive-season-here-s-why-rekha-gupta-parvesh-verma-diwali-liquor-prices-bjp-11790564227423.html>
  Leads with price rise, uses same Indian Express report without independent framing
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/liquor-to-get-costlier-in-delhi-ahead-of-festive-season-here-s-why-new-excise-policy-rekha-gupta-101790571563473.html>
  Leads with price rise, adds industry reaction from Vinod Giri, otherwise identical framing

Tags: Delhi government, excise policy, Parvesh Verma, Rekha Gupta, Taranjit Singh Sandhu
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