The Jharkhand Cabinet has approved a revamped excise policy aimed at reforming the state's liquor sales system. The initiative seeks to tackle previous revenue shortfalls and address concerns of mismanagement and irregularities under the earlier framework.
Under the newly adopted guidelines, private businesses will now be responsible for selling liquor at the retail level, while the Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited (JSBCL) will continue to oversee wholesale distribution.
Retail licenses will be awarded through a lottery system, allowing individuals to operate up to 12 outlets in a single district and a maximum of 36 across the entire state.
Additionally, the policy permits liquor sales in large shopping malls and departmental stores. The state government will also establish "model shops," where only well-known liquor brands will be available.
To crack down on illegal liquor trade and enhance accessibility, the total number of retail liquor stores is projected to increase to around 1,500. Currently, there are 1,453 operational retail outlets in the state. Full implementation of the policy is expected to take about a month.
This policy overhaul comes after long standing criticism of the previous system, which depended heavily on third-party placement agencies. Stakeholders, including the ‘Jharkhand Sharab Vyapari Sangh’, had raised concerns about lost revenue, inefficient operations, and a lack of transparency.
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The new policy marks a departure from the earlier model, with a push toward digitised monitoring and tighter regulation aimed at modernizing the liquor industry.
In another major decision, the Cabinet also approved a health insurance scheme under the Chief Minister Ayushman Yojana, offering up to Rs 5 lakh in coverage for residents aged 70 and above. The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 3.84 lakh elderly individuals across the state.
In total, the Cabinet cleared 16 proposals spanning sectors such as education, infrastructure, and social welfare.
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