A delegation led by Karnataka’s Excise Commissioner, Mr. Venkatesh Kumar R., visited Uttar Pradesh today to study the state’s excise administration, known for its transparent and revenue-driven policies. The team arrived in Lucknow and held a detailed meeting with Uttar Pradesh Excise Commissioner Mr. Adarsh Singh, where they were briefed on the state’s excise policy and licensing system.
During the discussions, the delegation reviewed key aspects such as the e-lottery system, the concept of composite liquor shops, and strategies for increasing revenue. The Karnataka officials were particularly impressed with UP’s e-lottery model, licensing procedures, fee structure, use of tech platforms, track-and-trace mechanisms, and compliance monitoring systems. Mr. Venkatesh Kumar R. praised the UP excise framework as “an exemplary model.”
Commissioner Adarsh Singh shared that during March-April 2025, Uttar Pradesh successfully allocated licenses for 27,308 liquor shops through a transparent e-lottery, receiving over 4.18 lakh applications and generating ₹2,328 crore in processing fees. He also highlighted that, for the first time in India, UP introduced 9,362 composite liquor shops, combining IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and beer outlets, enhancing both vendor income and customer convenience.
Uttar Pradesh’s excise revenue has doubled—from ₹23,927 crore in 2018–19 to ₹52,573 crore in 2024–25—a result of transparent policies, technological innovation, and effective regulation.
