Delhi Medium Liquor to be phased out

The Aam Aadmi Party government has decided to phase out 'Delhi Medium Liquor' (DML) this year, a liquor brand launched by the the Sheila Dikshit government in 2012 to replace 'cheap country-made liquor'.

Presenting the 2015-16 Budget, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "The unpopular Delhi Medium Liquor is proposed to be phased out during this year."  To streamline the liquor trade and eradicate corruption, this government is shifting the point of levy of excise duty from transport permit level to import permit level. 

"To bring additional revenue, the government proposes to increase the retail vend fee of corporations from Rs 2.5 lakh per annum to Rs 4 lakh per annum and also fee of other licenses," Sisodia said.

The government does not intend to increase the excise duty since the same was increased last year, he said. "Reform measures to ease renewals of excise licenses Hotels, Clubs and Restaurant is being done. Renewals will now not require licensees to file approvals of other departments. Renewal will be automatic and if, subsequently any violation of law is detected, the licensee will be dealt with severely," he said. 

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