Lucknow, March 27, 2025:
With the Uttar Pradesh government’s new excise policy set to take effect on April 1, liquor vendors across the state are offering substantial discounts to clear their stock. Numerous liquor stores in cities like Lucknow, Noida, and Meerut have displayed large banners promoting schemes like ‘Buy One, Get One Free,’ drawing huge crowds. Videos circulating on social media depict chaotic scenes outside liquor stores, with stampedes occurring as customers rush to seize the discounts.
Stock Clearance Before Policy Change
The frenzy results from the government’s decision to implement an e-lottery system for liquor shop allocations, replacing the traditional license renewals. Under this new policy, many current license holders will be replaced, and traders worry they will incur significant financial losses if they cannot sell their remaining stock before the deadline.
Rohit Jaiswal, an advocate for the Liquor Association, stated that traders have filed a petition requesting the government to take back the unsold stock before March 31. However, the government has yet to respond to their appeal. If no directive is given, vendors will be forced to destroy their remaining stock after the deadline.
Key Changes in the New Liquor Policy
The revised excise policy introduces composite liquor shops, where beer and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) will be sold together, leading to a reduction in the number of independent liquor stores. Additionally, the government has mandated that country liquor be sold only in tetra packs to prevent adulteration. The Minimum Guarantee Quota (MGQ) for country liquor has been increased by 10%, with the license fee per bulk liter rising from ₹254 to ₹260.
In Noida, liquor stores will decrease from 535 to 501, with 239 designated composite shops. Officials estimate that an average of 10,000 beer bottles, 30,000 IMFL bottles, and 40,000 country liquor bottles are sold daily in Noida, generating revenue of ₹3-4 crore. With the ongoing discounts, sales are expected to rise by 30-40% this week.
Political Controversy Over ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ Scheme
The clearance sale has ignited a political dispute, with opposition parties accusing the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of encouraging alcoholism. AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticized the scheme, questioning whether the central BJP leadership had sanctioned it. She recalled how the BJP had previously opposed similar liquor policies in Delhi under Arvind Kejriwal’s government and called for an investigation into the issue.
Atishi further alleged that if the ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ offer were introduced in Delhi, the BJP would have labeled it as corruption and initiated CBI-ED raids. She challenged the party to take similar action against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, liquor vendors are preparing for an increased rush, while authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Once implemented, the new excise policy will significantly change the liquor trade in Uttar Pradesh, impacting both retailers and consumers. Keep reading questiqa.in for more news.
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