Under the new policy, liquor shop licenses located near religious places in Uttarakhand will be revoked, with a focus on regulating the sale of liquor to the public. Shailesh Bagauli, the secretary, emphasized that the new policies are designed to respect the religious and cultural sensitivities of the people, ensuring that liquor sales are handled with utmost caution. This policy also aims to provide self-employment opportunities to the local population.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, approved the policy during a cabinet meeting on Monday. The policy includes a re-evaluation of liquor shop licenses previously issued, as new boundaries around religious sites have been established for liquor sales. Officials noted that the previous excise policies had created loopholes that people exploited. The policy review has also shifted attention towards promoting farmers' produce to distilleries.
The updated excise policy has eliminated sub-shops and the sale of liquor in metro areas altogether. It also mandates the cancellation of licenses for shops that sell liquor above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). This ensures that stores follow the MRP policy, which benefits consumers.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 fiscal year, the department is optimistic about achieving excise earnings of ₹5060 crores, following a sharp rise in revenue over the past two years. In 2023-2024, the revenue target was set at ₹4000 crores, but the department surpassed it, achieving ₹4038.69 crore. The current fiscal target is approximately ₹4400 crores, and the department has already earned ₹4000 crores.
The new policy also grants exclusive access to bulk liquor licenses for Uttarakhand residents, which will enhance the economic prospects for the local population. Wineries in the hill region will be supported with excise duty exemptions for 15 years on wine made from locally grown grapes. This move will benefit farmers and those in the horticulture sector.
Incentives have also been introduced to boost investment in liquor production, and export duties have been reduced to encourage growth in the industry. The new policy sets out to increase the region's agricultural output through local distilleries, helping farmers find new markets and improve their income.
Under the Excise Policy-2025, liquor shop licenses will be issued via auction, lottery, or to the highest bidder. Additionally, the policy includes special drives to educate the public on the dangers of excessive drinking.
