Gurgaon: Several liquor shops in the city, already under the scanner for alleged smuggling of imported liquor, are now facing fresh allegations of violating the Haryana excise policy. A complaint recently submitted to the excise department has pointed to multiple irregularities, including the sale of liquor below the minimum retail sale price (MRSP) and failure to display mandatory information at vends.
According to the complaint, many liquor shops are not displaying statutory details such as licence information, shop timings, or contact numbers of excise officials. It also alleges illegal advertising practices, use of decorative and façade lighting despite a clear ban, non-display of MRSP lists for both imported foreign liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), unauthorised promotions on social media, and operation of shops beyond permitted hours.
The complainant has sought strict action, including sealing of shops, suspension of licences, and a vigilance inquiry into the alleged violations.
Advocate Rajeev Yadav, who has raised several issues related to excise policy enforcement, claimed that these violations are widespread and happening openly across the city. He alleged that such continued breaches point towards possible collusion, corruption, or deliberate inaction by field-level excise officials.
Referring to Clause 3.4 of the Haryana excise policy, Yadav said that all forms of liquor advertising are strictly prohibited, including decorative lighting around shops. He added that even the presence of such lighting amounts to a serious breach of licence conditions, warranting immediate sealing of the premises.
The complaint further alleges that liquor bottles and brands are openly displayed behind glass façades with illuminated shelves visible from public areas, which amounts to indirect advertising. It also states that several vends are advertising “24-hour home delivery” through social media platforms, which is not permitted under the policy.
Another major concern raised is the alleged deliberate non-display of MRSP lists for imported liquor, which, according to the complaint, enables underpricing and misleads consumers. It is claimed that popular imported and IMFL brands such as VAT-69, 100 Pipers, Teachers, and even premium labels are being sold below the prescribed minimum prices.
Yadav cited the example of Johnnie Walker Black Label, which has a minimum selling price of Rs 3,200 but is allegedly being sold for around Rs 1,700 at some vends. He also stated that an RTI query filed to ascertain the MRSP of 100 Pipers did not yield a clear answer. According to him, the excise department’s response suggested that no single fixed MRSP has been declared for the brand, which is a direct violation of the policy that mandates one uniform MRSP for each liquor brand.
Questioning the system, Yadav asked whether liquor companies are fixing prices on their own and whether liquor shops are selling at arbitrary rates while the excise department remains a silent spectator.
Responding to the allegations, an excise department official said enforcement teams are regularly conducting checks and that action is taken whenever violations are reported. “We take immediate action whenever any breach of the excise policy comes to our notice,” the official said.
