Liquor retailers in Gurugram are under the scanner for selling alcohol below the government-fixed minimum retail sale price (MRSP), a violation that has raised serious concerns about illegal liquor sales and tax evasion.
According to Haryana’s excise policy, MRSP is the lowest price at which alcoholic beverages can be sold—selling below it is strictly illegal. But recent checks by authorities and complaints from bar owners suggest that many vendors are ignoring the rules.
Some retail shops have been caught offering heavy discounts on premium liquor, reportedly to clear out stock before the new excise policy kicks in on June 12. For instance, a bottle of VAT 69 whisky (MRSP ₹1,550) was allegedly being sold for ₹1,000—and in bulk, for as little as ₹700. On the flip side, bars and pubs claim they are being grossly overcharged, paying over ₹200 for a bottle of beer that should retail at ₹95.
Legal experts, pub owners, and activists are calling it an unethical dual-pricing system. Selling below MRSP could mean liquor is being sold without proper taxes, while overcharging pubs—beyond the 10% markup limit—amounts to profiteering.
A bar manager in Sector 29 said, “We’re being forced to buy at inflated prices. Complaints go unheard.” Another from Cyber Hub added, “It feels like nobody is watching or taking action.”
Supreme Court advocate Rajeev Yadav, who has raised the issue with the excise department, said the irregular pricing points to serious loopholes in the system. He urged the department to carry out thorough audits and hold violators accountable.
In response, the deputy excise commissioner, Amit Bhatia, confirmed that investigations have started. He promised notices and penalties for those violating rules. According to the excise policy, vendors caught breaking MRSP rules can have their license suspended for up to three days or even have their shops sealed.
Despite these rules, many vendors still avoid using proper billing systems and ignore the 12-bottle-per-customer limit. Buyers say there’s no consistency in pricing, and receipts often don’t include required details.
Regular consumers like Amit Khurana see the issue every day. “You’ll find the same bottle sold at completely different prices depending on the shop. We’ve complained, but nothing happens.”
Critics argue that beyond financial loss to the state, these practices raise doubts about the quality of liquor being sold. Advocate Yadav warns the issue might be deeper than it appears and calls for a full investigation, including into possible internal collusion within the excise department.
