The Karnataka government is preparing new rules to auction liquor licences, a move that could fetch the state around ₹500 crore in revenue.
So far, licences to run liquor outlets have been issued through traditional allotment methods. Now, the government wants to switch to a bidding system to bring in more transparency and prevent irregularities.
According to officials, the auction process will cover both retail liquor shops and bar licences. Once notified, these rules will set the framework for how interested parties can bid, the eligibility criteria, and the terms of operation.
The state hopes this change will not only bring in significant additional revenue but also make the system more accountable.
