New Delhi, June 27 -- Delhi recorded a nearly 17% increase in excise revenue during the first two months of current financial year, a rise officials attributed to improved availability of liquor brands and greater stability in the retail market after the city government extended the existing excise policy for another year. According to official figures shared by government officials on Thursday, the excise department collected Rs.1,038 crore in April and May combined, compared with Rs.885 crore during the same period last year. The collections were also higher than the Rs.922 crore recorded during April-May 2024, indicating a steady increase in excise receipts over the past two years, an official aware of the figures said, requesting anonymity. Officials said the rise was largely driven by reduced uncertainty among licence holders and suppliers following the government's decision to extend the current policy for an entire year instead of issuing short-term extensions. "The government used to extend the policy for three months until last year. However, this time the government extended the policy for a year, creating a sense of security," he added. The extensions meant that Delhi continued operating under the 2020-21 excise policy, which has been repeatedly extended since the withdrawal of the now-scrapped 2021-22 policy. The policy had earlier been extended several times under the previous AAP government and has now been extended thrice under the current BJP administration....