Delhi State Agency Defends Digital Liquor Sales App Following Political Backlash

UPDATE - follow-up to DSIIDC's online liquor booking app permitted by previous Delhi government: Officials: The Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation stated that its online liquor booking app was approved by the previous government in 2024 to bring transparency and stop brand pushing in retail sales.

Political Row

A political dispute arose after the app's rollout, with Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj demanding its withdrawal and threatening protests if the BJP-led government fails to roll it back within 24 hours. Defending the scheme, a senior DSIIDC official noted that management approved app development in December 2024 and issued a work order on January 2, 2025, before the platform launched in November 2025.

App Details

The 'Delhi Liquor Booking' application enables users to check stock, pay digitally, and reserve items before collecting them from corporation vends. Because the app initially supported only Android devices, a QR-code micro-site launched on September 6 for iOS users. During the 2025-26 financial year, the app recorded 3,629 transactions worth about ₹13 lakh. Sales grew in the current financial year, reaching 10,730 transactions totaling around ₹30 lakh so far. Officials clarified that home delivery is unavailable, orders can be cancelled prior to pickup, buyers must verify they are over 25 years old, and purchases are capped at 9 litres of whisky and 18 litres of beer under Excise rules. Four government corporations operate over 700 retail liquor stores across Delhi, but this online service currently functions at over 200 vends run by DSIIDC.

Context

Digital governance tools in retail sales are often introduced by public sector enterprises to curb malpractices and streamline operations. Understanding these administrative timelines helps clarify how public policy projects transition from initial approvals to public rollouts.