Himachal to operate 240 unsold liquor shops

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to run 240 liquor vends that remained unsold during open auctions through various state-run boards and corporations in order to prevent revenue loss.

The vends across five districts were not allotted due to low bids, with contractors quoting prices 20  to 30 percent  below the base price.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, who chaired a meeting with the Board of Directors of the General Industries Corporation (GIC) and the Himachal Pradesh Small Industries Development Corporation (HPSIDC), said the decision aims to safeguard the interests of the public exchequer. “The state cabinet has approved that boards and corporations, including Agro Industries Corporation, GIC, HPSIDC, Forest Corporation, Civil Supplies Corporation, and HIMFED, will operate these liquor shops,” he stated.

The minister noted that many of these shops, especially in rural areas, were deemed economically unviable by contractors, resulting in the lack of interest during auctions. The Managing Directors of the corporations have been directed to complete all formalities for launching operations, with financial powers granted for renting shops and hiring outsourced employees.

As part of the plan, the GIC has been allotted 42 vends in Kullu worth ₹42 crore, while HPSIDC has been allotted 23 vends in Mandi. If the Excise Department is unable to finalise auctions for these vends, the corporations will start running them within a day or two.