Punjab Approves New Excise Policy Targeting ₹11,020 Crore Revenue for 2025-26

The policy introduces e-tendering for liquor vends, increases quotas for country liquor, and reduces fees for select licenses while raising the cow welfare cess.

• Punjab's new excise policy for 2025-26 aims to generate ₹11,020 crore in revenue, an increase of ₹800 crore from the previous year.
• Liquor vends will be allotted via e-tendering, replacing the lottery system, with 207 auction groups formed to promote transparency.
• The quota for country liquor has been increased by 3%, while fees for wholesale licenses for ex-servicemen and standalone beer shops have been significantly reduced.
• The cow welfare cess on liquor has been raised from ₹1 per proof litre to ₹1.50, estimated to increase revenue from ₹16 crore to ₹24 crore.
• The policy also allows the establishment of new bottling plants to attract investment and includes measures to strengthen enforcement, such as setting up new excise police stations.

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