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2mo ago

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.

The new policy stipulates that in order to balance the existing retail trade and to provide opportunity to ensure better and widespread participation, fresh allotment of L-2/L-14A vends for the financial year 2025-26 will be done through e-tender. (HT File)
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Overview

  • 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.