Liquor shops across Chandigarh saw heavy crowds on Tuesday, as people rushed to buy alcohol a day before the new excise policy came into force on April 1. Many residents were hoping to take advantage of lower prices before the new rates kicked in.
However, unlike previous years, most shop owners did not offer significant discounts. According to a liquor vend operator, contractors who continued with their shops avoided giving price cuts, while those trying to clear old stock quietly offered small, unofficial discounts.
To handle the large crowds, some shop owners even hired bouncers to maintain order.
Key Changes Under the New Policy
With the new excise policy now active, a total of 94 liquor shops will operate in the city. Three shops are still vacant and will be auctioned next week. The administration has already earned over ₹500 crore from the auction process, showing strong demand.
One of the highlights was the liquor shop in Palsora village, which received a record bid of ₹16.71 crore, mainly due to its location near Mohali.
New Rules for Hotels, Bars, and Restaurants
The policy also brings major changes for the hospitality sector:
- A-category hotels can now serve alcohol 24 hours a day.
- B- and C-category hotels can also offer round-the-clock service by paying an annual fee of ₹30 lakh.
- Bars can operate from 11 am to 1 am, with last orders before midnight.
- Bars can stay open until 3 am by paying an extra ₹8 lakh, but last orders will be allowed only until 2 am.
Other Important Updates
- The quota for country liquor, IMFL, and imported liquor remains unchanged.
- The L-10B licence has been reintroduced, allowing liquor sales through large departmental stores, making it more convenient for customers, especially women and senior citizens.
- Bar owners must now purchase liquor from their nearest retail shops.
- “Cow cess” charges remain the same on liquor and beer bottles.
- GPS tracking is now mandatory for all vehicles transporting liquor.
- The rule requiring bonded warehouses to be located within Chandigarh has been relaxed — they can now be set up anywhere in India.
What It Means
The new policy aims to streamline operations while increasing government revenue. While consumers rushed to buy liquor before the change, the lack of major discounts this year suggests a more controlled and stable pricing approach by vendors.
