Latest news with #JharkhandExcise
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Allocation of retail liquor stores in a week: Excise dept
1 2 Ranchi: The state excise department is set to initiate the lottery process for the allocation of retail liquor shops across the state within a week, marking a key step in the implementation of the new liquor policy, a senior excise department official said on Friday. The department has been preparing to roll out the new excise policy, Jharkhand Excise (Settlement and Operation of Shops for Retail Sale of Liquor) Rules, 2025, from Sept 1, paving the way for the retail sale of liquor in Jharkhand by private players. The new move was a shift from the arrangement which had been in effect since 2019, whereby the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL) controlled retail liquor sales in the state. "In May this year, the state cabinet approved the policy, following a proposal from the department's side. While the wholesale liquor sales are still controlled by the state-run JSBCL and the retail ones will be operated by private players. To allocate the shops to the private players, the department will hold a lottery among them. The process for applying to the lottery process will start soon, possibly within a week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bulk buying rush at Mannings! 40+ men hair changed KAMINOWA Learn More Undo Following the completion of the process, the shops will be handed over to private parties," an excise official told TOI, seeking anonymity. The excise department in July started the process of taking over 1,453 liquor shops in the state by the JSBCL from private agencies after completion of the latter's contract period. A total of 1,343 shops have been finalised for lottery. "The number of retail liquor shops came down from 1,453 to 1,343 as some retail country liquor shops have been merged with IMFL shops, making them composite liquor shops," the official said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Excise min reviews upcoming liquor policy implementation
1 2 Ranchi: State excise minister Yogendra Prasad convened a key meeting with senior officials of the excise department on Tuesday to ensure the effective roll-out of the new excise policy. The meeting primarily focused on streamlining implementation strategies and curbing the ongoing issue of overpriced liquor at retail outlets across the state. The minister emphasised strict enforcement mechanisms to prevent price manipulation and to ensure that consumers are not burdened with inflated costs. He also directed officials to intensify monitoring efforts and strengthen transparency in pricing across licensed retail vendors. "The new excise policy, Jharkhand Excise (Settlement and Operation of Shops for Retail Sale of Liquor) Rules, 2025, will come into effect from September 1. In relation to that, the meeting was convened with the officials of the department to finish all necessary works before the stipulated date so that the policy can be rolled out on the date at any cost," minister Prasad said. In May, the state cabinet approved the policy, following a proposal from the department's side. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Portable Stairlifts Require No Complicated Installation: Take a Look! Smartfinancetips Click Here Undo The new scheme will pave the way for the retail sale of liquor in Jharkhand by private players. The minister added that the excise sleuths were directed to take strict action against shopkeepers who were found selling overpriced liquor. "Many times, we get complaints of liquor shops charging Rs 10-20 more than the actual prices. Department officials were directed to take necessary action if anyone was found exercising such illegal activities," he added. Excise sleuths registered cases against seven persons in Ranchi for selling liquor at higher prices. Meanwhile, excise sleuths are carrying out surprise inspections at liquor shops to curb the menace of overpricing. Sources at the department said that the district administration would also depute a magistrate for each of the six circles in Ranchi district for inspection of liquor shops.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pvt players to run liquor stores in state from Sept 1
1 2 Ranchi: Retail India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country liquor shops in Ranchi and across the state will be operated by private players from September 1 as per the new excise policy, the state excise and prohibitions department said on Friday. However, the wholesale liquor sales are still controlled by the state-run Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL), it added. The state cabinet had approved the Jharkhand Excise (Settlement and Operation of Shops for Retail Sale of Liquor) Rules, 2025, in May this year. The new move was a shift from the earlier arrangement which had been in effect since 2019, during which the JSBCL controlled retail liquor sales in the state. Excise commissioner Ravi Shankar Shukla said the new rules were notified on May 21. Though the rollout was slated in June, administrative and logistic hurdles pushed the deadline to September, excise department sources said. "According to the new rules, several steps must be followed before the implementation, which include issuing tenders to rope in private players, providing a window for at least 15 days to the new shops for preparation, and developing software for holding a lottery among the bidders through an online medium. The lottery process will start either by the end of July or in the beginning of August," sources said. The department last week started the handover-cum-takeover process of over 1,453 liquor shops in the state from placement agencies after completion of the latter's contract period. By Thursday, 90% of the process was completed. Now, JSBCL will run the liquor shops across the state till August 31 as a measure to fulfil the liquor demand in the state. Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, general secretary of the Jharkhand Sharab Vyapari Sangh, welcomed the move. "Following the implementation of the new policy, the govt will receive advance revenue, which will contribute to strengthening the state's exchequer," he claimed.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet gives nod to retail liquor sale by private players in state
1 2 Ranchi: The cabinet of chief minister Hemant Soren on Thursday approved a proposal of the state excise and prohibitions department which will pave the way for the retail sale of liquor in Jharkhand by private players. The ministerial council approved a new policy titled Jharkhand Excise (Settlement and Operation of Shops for Retail Sale of Liquor) Rules, 2025 to this effect. Wholesale liquor sales will be controlled by the state-run Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited ( JSBCL ). Thursday's move is a shift from the arrangement which was in effect since 2019 whereby the JSBCL controlled retail liquor sales statewide. However, the arrangement was scrapped as it failed to meet revenue expectations. Talking to the media after the cabinet meeting, excise secretary Manoj Kumar said, "There were some implementation issues due to manpower crunch due to which the retail liquor shops will be privatised now. If all goes well, we hope to implement the new change within a month." On the issue of pricing, he added, "Of about 500 brands of India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), there will be a marginal hike in prices in some about 300 odd brands. " Kumar said 1,443 shops statewide have been identified for privatisation in the initial phase. "One can take a maximum of 12 shops in one district and 36 across the state," he said. Reacting to new excise policy, BJP spokesperson Ajay Sahu said that it is aimed at another liquor scam in Jharkhand.
