Delhi Govt Opens Liquor Stores at Metro Stations
The Delhi excise department has started opening liquor shops at metro stations to boost sales and revenue.
Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party government and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal have always been in light in regard to their policies related to alcohol sales and supplies. Now, with an eye on better sales, the Delhi excise department has started opening liquor shops at metro station premises, said officials as quoted by news agency PTI. Excise Duty is like a tax on goods manufactured in India. However, most of the things have been shifted under the purview of GST, but things like alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes etc are still under Excise duty.
More than six liquor shops have been opened in Badarpur, Dwarka, Karol Bagh, Rajouri Garden, and Mundka metro station premises. A senior Excise department official said that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is being approached by the government undertakings to get permission for opening liquor shops at other stations, according to news agency PTI. The official said that metro stations have space availability and high footfall which is a big factor to ensure more access to liquor products, and thereby generate more revenue.
Four Delhi government undertakings Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC), and Delhi Consumers' Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd (DCCWS) – have to open 700 liquor shops across the city by the end of the year.Hence, the DMRC will soon grant permission to other corporations as well for opening liquor stores at metro premises. The department has already issued around 450 licenses to the four corporations and over 350 liquor stores operated by these four agencies are currently running in the city, as per reports. The Delhi government has set up shops for their own profit. However, we urge our viewers to use discretion while consuming alcohol. What do you think about this decision taken by the Delhi government? Do mention your thoughts in the comment section below.
