The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday gave nod to the excise policy 2025-26. The policy aims to collect revenue of Rs 11,020 crore, an increase by Rs 874.05 crore over the current fiscal. The new policy stipulates that fresh allotment of L-2/ L-14A vends will be done through e-tender. The quota of country liquor (Punjab medium liquor) has been kept at 8.534 crore proof litres i.e increase of three per cent over the previous financial year. However, there will be no increase in country liquor rates in the new excise policy. The Cabinet also gave green signal to adopt the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 enacted by the Parliament. The Act has replaced criminal liability with financial penalties and it stipulate that the contravention or non-compliance of the act would be dealt through imposition of financial penalty through an adjudicating officer. The possession limit of licence holder of farm stays has been increased from 12 quarts of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) to 36 quart of IMFL with increase in possession quantity of beer, wine, gin, vodka, brandy and other liquor products. The fee of standalone beer shops has been reduced from Rs 2 lakh per shop to Rs 25,000 per shop.
