MRP set for 428 liquor brands, govt tells Delhi HC

In a chart the Delhi government provided justice Rekha Palli with, it said that out of the 428 brands of alcohol with fixed MRPs, 300 were Indian brands and 128 were foreign.

The Delhi government on Thursday informed the high court that it has registered 489 alcohol brands, of which it fixed the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for 428 till November 30.

A private liquor store being revamped at Saket, in New Delhi. (HT Photo)

In a chart the Delhi government provided justice Rekha Palli with, it said that out of the 428 brands of alcohol with fixed MRPs, 300 were Indian brands and 128 were foreign.

The document was provided to the court while it was hearing a plea by 16 retail liquor vendors, challenging the Delhi government’s decision to levy license fees from November 1, 2021.

The petition sought that the collection of license fees be postponed till November 17, while contending that the MRPs had not yet been fixed.

On the last date, the court had recorded the assurance of the Delhi government that it would not take any coercive action against the petitioners for non-payment of the license fees.

The court had asked the Delhi government to give an updated chart on the registered brands.

On Thursday, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that in the wake of the recent developments, the petitioners cannot be provided with interim protection throughout.

The court agreed to the contention, however, since the chart was not on record, the judge posted the matter for hearing on Tuesday. It granted time to the petitioners to go through the chart submitted by the Delhi government.

The petitioners, represented by advocate Sanjay Abbott and Tanmay Mehta, are successful bidders of L-7Z (zonal licence for retail vend of Indian liquor and foreign liquor) and L-7V (retail vend of Indian liquor, foreign liquor in a zone).

The pleas sought to restrain the government from demanding the sums of money in the form of licence fees or security deposit and also to direct the authorities not to levy or demand licence fees from successful bidders until the government performs its own obligations under the tender terms and conditions and the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022.

One of the pleas filed by the 16 retailers said there was a great delay in initiating the process of registration of brands and fixation of MRP by the Delhi government.

It claimed that until October 30, not even a single brand had been registered within Delhi under the new excise policy, nor had the MRP been fixed for various liquor brands.

It said the process for determination of MRP for retail sale is a time-consuming exercise and if the scheduled date of commencement of business is November 17, as specified by the government, it is a complete breach of obligations on the part of the authorities in delaying the registration of brands and determination of MRP.