Sat Mar 29 13:04:35 UTC 2025: ## Delhi’s Liquor Tax Revenue Dwarfs Milk Tax: Government Data
**New Delhi** – The Delhi government revealed starkly contrasting revenue figures from alcohol and dairy products, highlighting the significant contribution of liquor sales to the state’s coffers. Data presented to the Delhi Assembly shows that excise duty and VAT on alcohol sales generated a massive Rs 5,068.92 crore in the current financial year (2024-25) up to February. This is in sharp contrast to the Rs 209.9 crore earned from GST on milk and milk products during the same period.
The figures were revealed in response to a question from BJP MLA Abhay Verma, and come amidst ongoing political fallout from the alleged AAP liquor policy scam. The BJP has repeatedly attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the scandal, which led to the imprisonment of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia. The controversy is widely believed to have contributed to the AAP’s loss in the recent Delhi Assembly elections.
The government further detailed alcohol tax revenue over the past three years: Rs 5,164 crore in 2023-24, Rs 5,547 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 5,487 crore in 2021-22. The data also showed a significant drop in alcohol sales volume, from 25.84 crore liters in 2022-23 to 21.27 crore liters in 2023-24. This translates to an average daily consumption of 5.82 lakh liters in 2023-24.
The AAP government’s controversial new liquor policy, implemented from November 2021 to August 2022, allowed only private shops to sell alcohol before reverting to the old policy which permitted government-run stores. The AAP had claimed the new policy aimed to curb black marketing, boost revenue, and improve customer experience; however, it was later flagged for alleged violations by the Delhi Chief Secretary. Revenue from milk sales also showed a decline, reaching Rs 300 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 365 crore in 2022-23.
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