Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has announced the successful completion of the allotment process for 207 retail excise groups for the financial year 2025-26.
The process, which began on March 5 and concluded on April 2, has exceeded expectations, generating an annual license fee of ₹9,878 crore, surpassing the projected target of ₹9,017 crore. This marks a 9.5% increase over the set reserve price, reflecting strong participation in the online auction process.
In an official press release, Cheema highlighted that the excise department successfully allotted all 207 retail excise groups through an online auction, which witnessed a positive response. He emphasised that Punjab's excise revenue for 2025-26 is expected to surpass ₹11,500 crore, attributing this consistent growth to the government's well-structured excise policies.
The finance minister credited strategic policy formulation for ensuring the availability of high-quality liquor at competitive prices while maintaining regulatory oversight.
He also commended the excise department’s efforts in curbing the illegal liquor trade and smuggling. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing revenue generation while ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and consumer welfare in the excise sector.
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