Imported liquor to become cheaper in Punjab

The Punjab government plans to cut prices for Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL) by Rs 100 to Rs 200 in the 2024-25 fiscal year under its new excise policy.

According to the new excise policy approved by the Punjab Cabinet, there will be no increase in the cost of Punjab Made Liquor (PML) in the state. However, the quota of PML has been increased by 3 percent over the last year for fiscal year 2024-25.

In the new fiscal year, the prices of PML liquor stay the same to support rural communities and state’s excise revenue. By tweaking the policy, the state government aims to collect Rs 10,145.95 crore through liquor sales during the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking an increase of Rs 621.95 crore from last fiscal.

In a new arrangement, the state government will allocate vends through a draw of lots instead of the tendering process. The license fee for L-1 category for Central Police Organizations has been reduced from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25,000 under the new excise policy. Additionally, the security amount for liquor vends has also been reduced from 17 percent to 15 percent to provide a level playing field for small investors in the state.