Punjab's excise revenue exceeds ₹10 crore for first time

Punjab's excise revenue has reached a significant milestone. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that it has surpassed ₹10 crore for the first time. Over the past three years, revenue growth has been noteworthy, jumping from ₹6,254 crore to more than ₹10,200 crore. For the financial year 2024-25, the targeted excise revenue is ₹10,145 crore. Cheema highlighted a successful e-tender process for new retail liquor licenses for 2025-26. The reserve price for 207 liquor groups was set at ₹9,017 crore. So far, 179 groups, about 87% of the total, have been allotted, bringing in ₹8,681 crore and an additional ₹871 crore in premiums. Cheema is optimistic about reaching a target of ₹11,020 crore for the next fiscal year. He believes that, based on current trends, the department could achieve around ₹11,800 crore, a 16% increase from last year. Criticizing past governments, Cheema mentioned that during the Congress rule from 2002 to 2007, excise revenue fell. He also pointed out drops during the SAD-BJP government, stating that policies favored cronies. The Congress-led government from 2017 to 2022 saw stagnation in revenue as well, culminating in a tragic hooch incident that resulted in multiple deaths.