Chandigarh introduces price cap on IFL

While approving the excise policy for the financial year 2024-2025, the Chandigarh administration has introduced minimum retail sale price on imported foreign liquor (IFL) to provide a level-playing field to all licencees in its jurisdiction.

In the new excise policy, the UT administration brought changes in liquor quotas, duties, and fees structure to facilitate liquor business in Chandigarh. Quota of IMFL has been reduced and the quota of country liquor & imported foreign liquor (BIO) has been marginally increased due to increased demand.

In a significant change from the previous excise policies, the administration has decided that CITCO would operate unsold retail licensing units after the final round of auctions is complete.

The number of liquor vends have been decreased from 95 to 84 and licensing units will be auctioned by the excise department by employing e-tendering and auction system. In 10 liquor licensing units in Chandigarh, successful bidder can open more than one vend as specified in the Chandigarh’s excise policy 2024-25.