India, June 28 -- With no clarity on a new excise policy that has been under preparation for over 33 months, the Delhi government on Friday announced the extension of the existing liquor policy till March 2026 - one of the longest such extension since the scrapping of the 2021-22 excise regime in September 2022 following allegations of irregularities.

The extension means the city will continue to operate under the 2020-21 policy - which has already been extended five times.

The move, officials said, was necessary to ensure uninterrupted liquor supply as the current extension was set to expire on June 30.

The last implemented excise policy (2021-22) was withdrawn following allegations of irregularities in September 2022.

"The competent...