PUNJAB’S NEW EXCISE POLICY FOR 2024-25 AIMS TO ACHIEVE NEW HEIGHTS OF REVENUE TARGETS: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

PRICES OF IMPORTED IFL WILL COME DOWN, NO INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF COUNTRY LIQUOR

Chandigarh, March 09

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday announced that the new Excise Policy for 2024-25 is set to achieve a historic revenue collection target of Rs. 10145.95 crores. Approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the policy introduces significant changes to stabilise and reform the liquor trade, said Cheema.

Highlighting the main points of the new Excise policy, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the retail sale licenses L-2/L-14A are being offered by fresh allotment through Draw of Lots and the department intends to continue the reforms which were initiated during the last two years. The group size for licenses has been strategically reduced, and an adjustable license fee has been introduced to streamline the process, said Cheema.

He further added that the group size for the year 2024-25 has been decreased and kept at 35 crores with a variation of plus or minus 15 percent. He said that the adjustable License fee has been levied at the rate of Rs. 200 per proof litre at the time of issuance of retail IMFL/IFL passes and at the rate of Rs. 50 per bulk litre at the time of issuance of retail Beer passes.

To mobilise additional revenue and to ensure enough availability of country liquor, the quota of country liquor (PML) in the financial year 2024- 25 has been increased by 3% i.e 8.286 crores proof litre over the last year, and there will be no increase in the price of Country Liquor in 2024-25.

“Giving relief to the Central Police Organisations, the license fee of L-1 has been reduced from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.25000”, said Cheema while adding that the prices of Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL) will come down in the year 2024-25 due to the rationalisation of the fee structure.  He said that the security amount has been reduced from 17 percent to 15 percent.

The policy further ensures that all licensees adhere to mandatory regulations such as EPF/ESI, fire safety, and building codes. To combat the issue of counterfeit liquor, a new mechanism mandates the breaking of used liquor bottles at marriage palaces after the function under the supervision of Excise Inspectors.

Bar licensees are now required to provide alcometers for voluntary alcohol level assessment and display signage promoting responsible drinking with the message ‘Be Safe-Don’t Drink and Drive’.  Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that these measures reflect the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to public safety and responsible liquor consumption.