Gujarat earned ₹94 lakh from liquor sale at GIFT City

The Gujarat government has earned ₹94.19 lakh in revenue from liquor sales at Gandhinagar’s GIFT City since alcohol consumption was permitted there on December 30, 2023. In response to a starred question in the Gujarat Assembly, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio, informed the house that as of January 31, 2025, people at GIFT City had consumed 3,324 bulk litres of spirit, 470 bulk litres of wine and 19,915 bulk litres of beer.

Gujarat is a dry state where the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited, but the government made an exception for GIFT City in 2023 to create a global business ecosystem for international investors and companies operating there. Under the new rules, hotels, restaurants and clubs within the GIFT City are allowed to serve liquor but cannot sell liquor bottles.

Liquor access permits are issued to company owners and employees, while visitors can obtain temporary permits to consume alcohol at designated establishments. Additionally, outsiders visiting Gujarat can purchase liquor from authorised outlets after obtaining a temporary permit. This policy aims to align GIFT City with international business standards while maintaining Gujarat’s broader prohibition laws.