With three crore liquor bottles sold in only two weeks, the Diwali festival brings in around Rs 525 crore for the Delhi government

 With three crore liquor bottles sold in only two weeks, the Diwali festival brings in around Rs 525 crore for the Delhi government

"The sale of liquor picks up in occasions like Holi and Diwali in Delhi as it is primarily bought for personal consumption and stocking however also for giving as gifts," an authority on excise stated.

Before Diwali on November 12, around 164 lakh liquor bottles, valued at approximately Rs 121 crore, were purchased in Delhi in only three days, according to authorities.

Over one crore liquor bottles were sold the week before Diwali, bringing in Rs 234.15 crore for the government, according to official statistics. "The sale of liquor picks up during celebrations like Holi and Diwali in Delhi as it is not only acquired for personal consumption storing stocking but also for giving as gifts," an authority on excise stated.

Official data indicates that in the 17 days leading up to Diwali, almost three crore bottles were sold, generating revenue of Rs 525.84 crore. Just before Diwali, retailers started selling more booze; on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, they sold 17.33 lakh, 18.89 lakh, and 27.89 lakh bottles, respectively. According to authorities, Diwali was a dry day, with the stores shuttered.

In only three days, the aggregate sales of nearly 64 lakh bottles brought in a total of Rs 120.92 crore. The three days before to Diwali last year saw the sale of 13.46 lakh, 15 lakh, and 19.39 lakh bottles of alcohol. Officials said that a staggering sale of liquor worth Rs 53.89 lakh was made on Diwali eve on Saturday.

This year, the number of liquor bottles sold in Delhi over the 17 days leading up to Diwali increased to over three crore, a 42 percent increase, according to authorities, compared to 2.11 crore in 2022. During this holiday season, the average number of bottles sold per day increased to 17.93 lakh from 12.44 lakh in 2022. According to them, there was a 4.4% increase in average daily sales over this time, or 5.49 lakh bottles.

Four Delhi government organizations manage more than 650 liquor establishments in the nation's capital. According to the excise department official, the corporations were advised to place orders and make sure they had enough supplies for the Diwali sale ahead of the holiday season.