Liquor becomes dearer in Himachal

Drinking in Himachal Pradesh just got costlier, with the state government hiking liquor prices for the 2025-26 fiscal. According to the new rate list released by the Department of State Taxes and Excise on April 3, the price of foreign liquor has gone up by as much as ₹200 per bottle, while country liquor will cost up to ₹15 more per bottle.

In a notable policy reversal, the department has decided to scrap the Minimum Sale Price system introduced last year and return to the earlier Maximum Retail Price model for liquor sales in order to bring more transparency and consistency in pricing.

To prevent overcharging, liquor contractors have been instructed to prominently display the new price list of liquor brands outside their vends. The move is intended to curb any potential malpractice and ensure that customers are not fleeced under the new pricing structure.