Delhi Liquor Booking App Sparks Political Row

The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) has implemented the Delhi Liquor Booking app across approximately 210 government-run stores in Delhi. The digital platform allows customers aged 25 and older to check stock, select brands, and pay online, though it does not offer home delivery. Customers must present a QR code at a physical store to collect their purchase within 48 hours. The system limits purchases to nine litres of whisky and 18 litres of beer.

Approved in 2024 and rolled out in November 2025, the app aims to increase transparency and prevent brand pushing. Usage has grown significantly, rising from 3,629 transactions in the 2025-26 financial year to 10,730 in the current year. The service is currently limited to DSIIDC stores and is not available through other government corporations.

The initiative has triggered a political dispute. Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the scheme as anti-people and challenged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to roll it back within 24 hours, threatening mass agitation and protests. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit questioned the app's practicality, arguing that because customers must still visit physical outlets, the system fails to resolve traffic congestion or behavioral issues at stores. The BJP and the Delhi government have not yet responded to these criticisms.