The Punjab Govt. approved a new liquor policy for 2024-25 with a target revenue of Rs. 10,145 crores. In the new policy, several additional charges have been levied on the liquor transport and the license fee for hotel bars and liquor shops. According to sources, this could result in an increase in the retail price of several liquors, with a beer bottle likely to see an increase of Rs. 30 per bottle.
As per sources, in the new excise policy, additional license fee of various liquors has been increased, along with an increase in the transport fee from the distillery to the outlets. According to the policy, additional license fee for beer has been increased to Rs. 12 per BL (Bulk Litre) from Rs. 8 per BL last year. Additionally, the transport fee for the beer from L1 (distillery) to the shops has been increased to Rs. 4 to Rs. 8. It is important to note that a trunk of Beer is approx. 7.8 BL.
Similarly, the license fee for imported and Indian made whiskey has been increased to about Rs. 50 per BL. Hotel Bars and similar establishments will also witness an approx. 10% increase in their license fee.
The new excise policy is aimed at garnering revenue to the tune of Rs 10,145.95 crore from the sale of liquor. To mobilise additional revenue and ensure enough availability of country liquor, the quota of country liquor (Punjab Medium Liquor or PML) in the financial year 2024-25 has been increased by 3%, which is 8.286 crore proof litre, over the last year. An adjustable licence fee was introduced to streamline the process of liquor sale by the distributors.