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Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Liquor zones auctioned for ₹1,270-cr in Gurugram West
The Haryana excise department has generated ₹1,270.27 crore from the allocation of 62 out of 83 liquor retail zones in Gurugram (West), marking a strong start to the first phase of e-auctions under the state's newly amended Excise Policy 2025–27. The two-day online auction, held from May 26 to 27, saw bids that exceeded the total reserve price of ₹1,152.27 crore by 10.24%, a result officials described as 'satisfactory' amid prevailing market conditions. This year's auctions follow key revisions to the Haryana excise policy, which, for the first time, will operate on a two-year cycle from 2025 to 2027. Previously, the policy was revised annually. Officials said auctions, updates, and amendments are carried out at the end of each policy cycle to align with the revised framework. Among the highest-grossing zones in this round, DLF Phase 3 topped the list with a bid of ₹64 crore, followed by Shankar Chowk at ₹62 crore, Bajghera Chowk at ₹46 crore, Dwarka Expressway at ₹43.5 crore, and Tajnagar at ₹41 crore. Officials attributed these high figures to the zones' strategic locations and expected consumer footfall. To be sure, in 2024, the department collected a total of ₹1,756 crore in licence fees from Gurugram—a 9.4% increase over 2023. Last year, all 162 retail zones in the city—83 in the West and 79 in the East—had been auctioned. The highest bid in 2023 came from a vend in Bristol Chowk at ₹48.28 crore, followed by Mehrauli Border at ₹45.53 crore. For this year, the evaluation of bids took place Tuesday evening at the Resource Building, chaired by Gurugram deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar. Deputy excise and taxation commissioner (West) Jitender Dudi said, 'The increased amount compared to the reserve price may not seem very high, but it is certainly satisfactory given the present market dynamics. The response shows stable investor confidence and sets the tone for upcoming auctions in other districts.' Kumar added, 'The auction results mark a positive start and reflect the department's efficient implementation of the new excise regime.' The remaining 21 zones in Gurugram (West) that did not receive successful bids will be re-auctioned in the first week of June. The online tendering process for Gurugram (East) zones will begin at 9am on May 30 and conclude at 4pm on May 31, with bid evaluation scheduled for the same evening. Among the significant changes aimed at improving ease of doing business, the total security requirement has been reduced from 15% to 11% of the licence fee. The initial deposit at the time of bidding has been brought down from 3% to 2%, and the payment required to begin lifting the liquor quota has been cut from 7% to 5%. Officials said these changes were introduced to reduce the financial burden on bidders and widen competition, especially after the bidding schedule had to be revised in Gurugram East and West due to the amendments.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Hry tweaks excise policy to ease liquor bidding process
Gurugram: The Haryana Excise and Taxation department has amended key provisions of the Excise Policy 2025–27. The changes, which came into effect this week, aim to reduce the financial burden on bidders and make the policy more business-friendly, particularly for Gurugram East and West, where the bidding process had to be rescheduled due to the amendments made, officials said. Under the revised policy, the department has lowered the total security requirement from 15% to 11% of the licence fee. Additionally, the initial security deposit at the time of bidding has been reduced from 3% to 2%, and the percentage of the licence fee required to start lifting the allotted liquor quota has also been cut from 7% to 5%. These measures are expected to ease entry barriers for potential bidders and encourage wider competition across retail zones. Deputy excise and taxation commissioner (DETC), Gurugram West, Jitender Dudi said, 'The amendments have been introduced to create a more investor-friendly environment and enhance participation, especially from small and medium bidders who were previously constrained by high upfront deposits. We believe the new terms will strike a balance between transparency and ease of doing business.' According to the revised schedule, the e-tendering for Gurugram West will now be held on May 26 and 27, while the Gurugram East bidding will take place on May 30 and 31. The bidding window for both zones will remain open from 9:00am to 4:00pm on the respective days, with evaluations to be carried out at 5:00pm. Another crucial amendment allows 91% of the licence fee to be paid in monthly instalments, with the remaining 9% will be adjusted from the security amount in the last two months of the policy year. Excise department officials said this will significantly ease liquidity pressure on licence holders, who earlier faced stiff upfront payment requirements. The Excise department has also set up help desks in both East and West Gurugram offices to assist bidders with registration and e-tendering procedures. Updated policy details are available on the official website The policy changes have drawn positive feedback from industry stakeholders who view them as a long-needed reform in Haryana's excise system. The department reiterated that the amendments were made in public interest and to ensure efficient implementation of the new excise policy. Supreme Court advocate Rajeev Yadav, who has played an important role in the new policy, said that the excise department's connivance with tainted tax evasion bidders is evident. 'They have made ₹60 lakhs as the financial capability of a bidder whereas the average reserve price per zone in the east district of Gurugram is ₹40-45 crores. Black money has always been routed via liquor sales without bills and taxes and this will increase further. They indulge in black marketing and when caught then a small financial bidder (servant or peon) is blacklisted to be followed by a new fake bidder,' he said.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Beer prices in Haryana to soar under 2025- 2027 excise policy
Come June 12, beer lovers across Haryana will be paying significantly more for their drink, as the state's new excise policy brings a 55% hike in Indian beer prices and a 45% increase for imported ones. As consumers brace for the price surge, many are now considering switching to lower-cost alternatives—or buying in bulk before the hike hits. But with excise duty enforcement tightening, the window may not stay open for long. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) Popular domestic labels like Kingfisher, Carlsberg, Budweiser, and Hoegaarden will see sharp price revisions. A 650ml bottle of Kingfisher Ultra, currently retailing at ₹ 90, will now cost ₹ 140. Beers such as Corona and Amstel, previously priced at ₹ 200 for a pint, will rise to ₹ 290, while Tiger beer is expected to follow suit. A 330 ml beer bottle of Budweiser and Carlsberg will cost ₹ 120 that used to cost ₹ 75, said officials. Canned Beer that costed ₹ 90 has been increased to ₹ 130 (45%) for 500 ml can). Excise officials said that the cost of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL) is set to rise by 15-20% under the new policy. They cited examples such as Absolute Vodka, which is will increase from ₹ 1,200 to ₹ 1,500, and Glenlivet, will jump from ₹ 3,200 to ₹ 3,800. Jitender Dudi, deputy excise and taxation commissioner, Gurugram (West), confirmed the increase. 'Yes, there will be a 55% hike on Indian beers and 45% on imported ones. This is primarily to bring parity with neighbouring states and to promote Indian-made beer and liquor over imported alternatives,' he said. 'The excise department is also focusing on optimising revenue through fair pricing while reducing the consumption of foreign-labelled liquor.' Officials said that this would increase government's revenue collection. The Haryana government has set a revenue target of ₹ 14,064 crore for FY 2025–27 under its new excise policy. In the last 2024–25, the department surpassed expectations, collecting ₹ 12,700 crore against a target of ₹ 12,650 crore. Officials credited the achievement to improved enforcement, policy stability, and a rise in legal consumption. The 2025–27 excise policy aims to build on this momentum with reforms in liquor quota, duty structure, and stricter compliance enforcement. 'With the increased license fee, it will be easier to achieve the targets,' said Dudi. The sharp rise has left both consumers and liquor vendors unsettled. Nitin Malik, a corporate executive and regular beer drinker in Sector 29, said, 'This kind of jump is too steep. ₹ 140 for a local beer that used to cost ₹ 90 makes it unaffordable for the middle class. We are not buying luxury items—we are talking about a casual beverage.' Vishu Arora, a consumer, had similar sentiments. 'Imported beer lovers are already paying a premium. With this increase, enjoying a chilled Corona or Hoegaarden with friends on weekends will become a luxury,' he said. Liquor shop owners said they are equally concerned about the impact on their margins and customer base. 'We have been informed that our investment per zone will rise by 20-30% under the new policy. With beer prices going up so much, footfall is bound to drop,' said Sandeep Yadav, one of the vend partner. Another retailer, Vinod Yadav, who runs a shop near Sohna Road, said, 'Margins will shrink, and we may lose regular buyers. Already, sales dip in summer if prices are hiked. We will now have to rework stock planning.' Rahul Singh, CEO, of the Beer Cafe chain said the proposed hike in beer prices will be a sharp jolt for both consumers and the hospitality industry. 'While we understand the state's intent to align pricing with neighbouring regions and enhance revenue, the timing—coinciding with peak summer beer demand—is concerning. Globally, progressive alcohol policies encourage a shift from hard spirits to lower-alcohol beverages like beer, recognising their role in promoting moderation and social responsibility. Such a steep increase in beer prices may inadvertently reverse this trend, pushing consumers toward higher-alcohol or unregulated alternatives,' he said The new policy, approved by the Haryana Cabinet on Monday, is part of a broader excise revamp aimed at boosting state revenue, reducing unregulated drinking, and curbing illegal tavern operations. While it also brings structural reforms in tavern licensing, advertising restrictions, and distance norms from sensitive sites, the immediate consumer impact will be felt most acutely in the beer aisle. With the peak summer season underway and soaring temperatures making beer the beverage of choice, vendors expect a consumer backlash. 'June is when beer demand hits its peak. This move could flatten our sales just when the season is booming,' said Yadav. As consumers brace for the price surge, many are now considering switching to lower-cost alternatives—or buying in bulk before the hike hits. But with excise duty enforcement tightening, the window may not stay open for long.
