CHANDIGARH, 19 February – Punjab plans to boost liquor revenue by 6-7% in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the Excise Department finalizing a new policy set for approval by the Council of Ministers later this month.
A Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and including Ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, and Harbhajan Singh, is currently reviewing the proposal.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the GoM suggested revisions, with sources indicating that the AAP government is unlikely to introduce major changes.
The state is considering whether to maintain the open quota system for IMFL or shift to a tender-based model to maximize revenue.
Liquor contractors have opposed tenders, warning of monopolistic control, while some have also raised concerns over the open quota system, blaming it for market oversupply, price wars, and smuggling into Gujarat and Bihar.
Punjab aims to increase excise revenue by at least ₹1,000 crore over the current target of ₹10,145 crore.
By January, collections stood at ₹8,584.33 crore, with officials confident of surpassing the target by March.
“High liquor sales in districts like Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Ropar have played a key role in boosting revenue,” an official said.
