New Delhi: The national capital witnessed a liquor sale of massive 3.9 crore bottles, a spike of around 70 per cent when compared to last year. Liquor sales generated a revenue of whopping Rs 448 crore. As per the official data from the excise department, liquor sales 15 days prior to Diwali witnessed a massive surge compared to previous years. As many as 1.9 crore bottles generating a revenue of Rs 324 crore were sold in 2022. Meanwhile, 2.3 crore bottles generating a revenue of Rs 433 crore were sold in 2023.
This year ahead of Diwali, 3.9 crore liquor bottles were sold between October 15 and 30. As per the data, this year recorded the highest sales a day before Diwali, on October 29. As many as 35 lakh bottles were sold on the day. Out of the total 3.9 crore liquor bottles, 89.48 lakh were beer, and around 2.98 crore were Indian-made foreign liquor bottles. “This year, overall sales were good compared to last year. Delhi has registered more brands as well,” said an official.
Delhi: Liquor sales increase this Diwali season
The excise department data further stated that the national capital generated a revenue of Rs 3,047 crore between April and October. The revenue was around Rs 2,849 crore during the same period in 2023. Pre-Diwali liquor sales this year generated a total revenue of Rs 447.62 crore, by selling additional 1.18 crore bottles from last year.
The date includes the liquor bottles sold from stores run by the four corporations of the Delhi government. The sales were made before the festivities started as Diwali, celebrated on October 31 this year, was a ‘dry day’ across the city. On the eve of Diwali (October 30) alone, 33.80 lakh liquor bottles were sold, generating a revenue of Rs 61.56 crore.
Delhi’s retail liquor business suffered significantly after the new excise policy rolled out by the AAP-led Delhi government was withdrawn in July 2022. The new policy allowed private operators to manage liquor stores across the national capital.
