Booze to cost more in Punjab as govt eyes Rs 874 crore revenue

CHANDIGARH: The Patiala peg remains as generous as ever - only, the wallet might feel a little lighter with each sip as Punjab raises a toast to higher excise revenues.
Liquor is set to cost more in Punjab, all thanks to the state's new 2025-26 excise policy. With fresh revenue target of Rs 11,020 crore, Rs 874 crore more than last year, govt is squeezing every last drop from its liquor trade.
Number of liquor groups was reduced from 236 to 207, covering 6,374 vends. That means fewer players in the game, but a lot more moolah changing hands.
And if someone's hoping to score a bottle without denting the wallet, think again - an extra licence fee at the first sale stage now applies across the board, whether one fancies a glass of IMFL, imported whiskey, wine, rum, vodka, or beer.
Depending on price of the drink, the fee could be anywhere between Rs 37 and Rs 100 for each bulk litre. To top it off, special licence fee, earmarked for gaushalas, has shot up by 50%, making Punjab perhaps the only place where whiskey now directly contributes to welfare of cows.