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The Delhi High Court deferred for Monday, hearing in a a filed by Delhi Liquor Trader Association seeking direction to the Government of NCT of Delhi to make public a New Excise Policy for the year 2021-22 

The Vacation Bench of Justice C Harishankar said that that the matter will be heard by the roaster bench on July 5.

The petition was filed by Delhi Liquor Trader Association through Advocate Siddharth Sharma states that on 28 June 2021, the Government of NCT of Delhi floated a tender inviting e-bids for grant of 32 zonal retail licenses for the year 2021-22 (separate tender for each zone) through the e-tendering process in the form of L-7Z/L-7V for sale of Indian and Foreign Liquor (except country liquor) in the NCT of Delhi ("Tender") on the basis of the New Excise Policy.

"Despite floating the tender publicly on the basis of approved New Excise Policy 2021-22 for NCT of Delhi, the New Excise Policy is yet to be made public and or available on the internet/respondent's website," the petitioner associations has averred.

It was further stated that as per the schedule of the tender, the last date for the prebid queries is July 5, 2021.
While the pre-bid meeting is scheduled to be held on July 6, 2021, and the submission of the e-bid is between July 12 to 20, 2021.

The petitioners have submitted that,
"in order to prepare financially viable and attractive e-bids for the tender, it is absolutely necessary that the approved New Excise Policy 2021-22 should be made available to all prospective stakeholders and or the public in general".

Senior Advocate Arun Mohan appeared for the petitioner association and Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Delhi Government in the matter.

Case Title: Delhi Liquor Trader Association vs Government of NCT Delhi W.P.(C) 6074/2021