Govt's Big Decision, All Liquor Shops To Be Closed...

No liquor shops near religious places will be permitted in Uttarakhand under the new excise policy for 2025-26. The decision was made in a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami aiming to protect and respect public sentiments and enforce stricter liquor sale regulations.

Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli announced that liquor licenses near religious places will be re-evaluated and revoked under the new policy. He highlighted that the primary goal is to control liquor sales while prioritising public concerns.

Boosting Local Employment and Transparency

The revised excise policy introduces a more transparent process for allotting liquor shops, enhancing self-employment opportunities for locals. Bulk liquor licenses will now be exclusively granted to Uttarakhand residents, ensuring economic benefits remain within the state.

To support local farmers, the policy provides avenues for them to sell their produce to distilleries. Wineries in hill states will enjoy a 15-year excise duty exemption if they use locally grown fruits, promoting farming and horticulture sectors.

Regulating Pricing and Distribution

The new policy eliminates sub-shops and metro liquor sales systems to streamline distribution. Liquor shops are prohibited from selling above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), which now applies to departmental stores as well, safeguarding consumer interests.

With consistent growth in liquor revenue, the excise department's target for 2025-26 has been set at Rs 5060 crore. In 2023-24, revenue reached Rs 4038.69 crore, surpassing the Rs 4000 crore target. For 2024-25, revenue already exceeded Rs 4000 crore against a target of Rs 4439 crore.

Encouraging Investment and Awareness

The policy seeks to attract investment in Uttarakhand's liquor industry by reducing export duties and offering incentives to malt and spirit units in hill areas. Additionally, campaigns will be conducted to raise awareness about alcohol's negative effects under the Excise Policy 2025.

This comprehensive overhaul of the state's liquor policy aims to balance public welfare with economic growth while regulating industry practices.