The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh Cupboard has accredited the excise coverage for the 2025-26 monetary 12 months, introducing a number of key adjustments, together with the implementation of an e-lottery system for allocating liquor and ‘bhang’ (hashish) outlets.
The coverage, cleared at a late-night assembly chaired by Adityanath on Wednesday, marks the primary occasion in seven years the place all nation liquor outlets, composite outlets, mannequin outlets, and hashish outlets can be allotted by e-lottery as a substitute of the earlier renewal system, Excise Minister Nitin Agarwal mentioned on Thursday.
E-lottery system and composite outlets
Agarwal said that below the brand new system, an applicant can submit just one software, with a cap of two outlets per particular person throughout the state. On the introduction of composite outlets, he mentioned shoppers would now be capable of purchase all kinds of alcoholic drinks from a single outlet. If an present beer and overseas liquor store are situated adjoining to one another, they are going to be merged into one.
Revised processing charges
The federal government has divided processing charges into 5 classes based mostly on location:
– Class 1: Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, and Kanpur, together with a 3-km radius of their municipal limits. Charges: Rs 65,000 for nation liquor outlets, Rs 90,000 for composite outlets, Rs 1 lakh for mannequin outlets, and Rs 25,000 for hashish outlets.
– Class 2: Massive cities past Class 1, plus a 3-km surrounding space. Charges: Rs 60,000 (nation liquor), Rs 85,000 (composite), Rs 90,000 (mannequin), Rs 25,000 (hashish).
– Class 3: Municipal areas and a 3-km radius. Charges: Rs 50,000 (nation liquor), Rs 75,000 (composite), Rs 80,000 (mannequin), Rs 25,000 (hashish).
– Class 4: Nagar Panchayat areas and a 3-km radius. Charges: Rs 45,000 (nation liquor), Rs 65,000 (composite), Rs 70,000 (mannequin), Rs 25,000 (hashish).
– Class 5: Rural areas. Charges: Rs 40,000 (nation liquor), Rs 55,000 (composite), Rs 60,000 (mannequin), Rs 25,000 (hashish).
The working hours for liquor outlets will stay unchanged from 10 am to 10 pm. When it comes to packaging and bottle sizes, 90ml bottles have been launched within the common overseas liquor class, whereas the premium phase will now supply each 60ml and 90ml bottles. To boost security and stop adulteration, nation liquor, which was beforehand offered in glass bottles, will now be mandatorily packaged in tetra packs. Moreover, the Minimal Assure Quota (MGQ) for nation liquor has been elevated by 10 per cent, and the licence price per bulk litre has been raised from Rs 254 to Rs 260.
Moreover, to advertise farmers engaged in fruit-based liquor manufacturing, the federal government will arrange devoted liquor outlets at district headquarters. The licence price has been set at Rs 50,000 for divisional and district headquarters and Rs 30,000 for different district areas.
(With PTI Inputs)
