#ExcisePolicy

[newsliveindia]

Uttar Pradesh Excise Policy 2025-26 – Major Reforms & Key Highlights

The Uttar Pradesh Excise Policy 2025-26 has officially come into effect from April 1, 2025, bringing significant reforms to the state's liquor retail and licensing system. The Minister of State for Excise, Nitin Agarwal, announced a major shift in liquor sales, allowing English liquor and beer to be sold under one roof. This move simplifies the customer experience and streamlines operations for retailers.

🔹 Key Highlights of the UP Excise Policy 2025-26

✅ 1. Composite Shops for English Liquor & Beer

Separate stores for foreign liquor (English liquor) and beer are now merged into "composite shops."

This integration increases accessibility without increasing the number of licenses issued.

✅ 2. Model Shops with On-Site Consumption

Retail outlets with a minimum area of 400 sq. ft. can now be upgraded to ‘model shops.’

These shops offer on-premise liquor consumption, similar to bars and lounges.

✅ 3. Country Liquor Shops Can Now Sell Beer

Select country liquor shops are now permitted to sell beer, expanding availability in rural and semi-urban areas.

✅ 4. Introduction of Low-Alcohol Bars

Beer and wine-only bars are being introduced in cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, and Lucknow.

The aim is to promote lighter alcohol consumption in a controlled environment.

✅ 5. Premium Retail in IT Hubs

Premium liquor stores and bars will now be allowed within IT and ITES zones.

These zones must be larger than 20,000 square meters, catering to professionals in business and technology parks.

✅ 6. Event Bar License Restructured

The licensing system for bars at private and public events has been streamlined.

The introduction of multiple license categories prevents misuse and ensures better regulation.

🔹 Boost to Tourism & Liquor Industry

The policy encourages "Liquor Tourism" by offering incentives to distilleries, breweries, and wineries for hosting guided tours and tastings.

The state government will facilitate licenses and permissions for tourism-based alcohol ventures.

🔹 E-Lottery System for Liquor & Cannabis Shops

The government has launched an e-lottery system for the fair allocation of liquor and cannabis shops.

This enhances transparency, eliminates manual intervention, and prevents corruption.

📢 Impact & Industry Outlook

With these reforms, Uttar Pradesh aims to streamline liquor sales, boost tourism, and enhance retail transparency. This policy is expected to increase revenue and modernize the alcohol industry in the state.

💬 What are your thoughts on the new excise policy? Share your views in the comments!

[letsdiskuss-blog]

Arvind Kejriwal Granted Bail: Delhi CM Released Amidst Ongoing Excise Policy Controversy

Supreme Court's Interim Bail: On July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise policy scam. This decision raised significant questions regarding the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) authority to arrest individuals under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and emphasized the necessity of judicial scrutiny in such arrests.

Ongoing Legal Challenges: Despite the Supreme Court's interim bail, Kejriwal remains incarcerated due to a subsequent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26, 2024. The CBI has labeled him the "sutradhaar" (mastermind) of the liquor policy case, asserting that his arrest was crucial for the investigation.

Delhi High Court Proceedings: The Delhi High Court is currently deliberating on Kejriwal's bail plea in the CBI case. The court has reserved its judgment after hearing arguments from both the CBI, which claims to have substantial evidence against him, and Kejriwal's defense, which argues that the arrest is based on hearsay and lacks direct evidence.

Legal Implications: The Supreme Court's ruling has broader implications for the enforcement of the PMLA, particularly regarding the conditions under which arrests can be made. The court highlighted that the exercise of arrest powers must be carefully scrutinized to prevent misuse and to protect individual rights. Read more: https://www.letsdiskuss.com/arvind-kejriwal:-arrest-claims-supreme-court-battle-and-more

[seemabhatnagar]

Charging Price over and above MRP is unfair & unethical business practice

Charging Price over and above MRP is not only violation of the rights of the Consumer but is also unethical & unfair business practice which is liable for penalty on the sellers.

Tarun Chaurasia v. Sunil Wine Shop

Before District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum Kangra at Dharamshala

Complaint No. 185/2023

Allowed on 08.09.2023

Fact

A Complaint was filed before District Consumer Forum Kangra at Dharamshala against the proprietor of Wine shop, primarily, for declaration that the sale of wine above MRP is violation of Consumer Right and also for directing the opposite party for refunding the excess amount charged above MRP.

Averment of the Complainant in his complaint before District Forum

The payment for purchasing beer bottles and whisky were made through G Pay, for 8 Bottles of Kingfisher Ultra Rs.130/- per bottle were charged whereas MRP was Rs.85/-. Four bottles of Budweiser beer were charged for Rs.230/- whereas MRP was Rs.225/- and one bottle of Blender pride whisky was charged Rs.500/- whereas MRP was Rs.480/-. The receipts were annexed with the complaint to substantiate his averment.

Rights of Consumer

Section 2 (9) (ii) and (iii) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provisions for consumers(ii) the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods, products or services, protecting the consumer against the unfair trade practices; iii) the right of the consumer to be assured, where ever possible, access to a variety of goods, products or services at competitive prices.

The norms for selling of liquor bottles had been streamlined through THE EXCISE POLICY 2023-24

As per the amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 effective from 2023 the retail sale price of the package shall clearly indicate that it is the maximum retail price inclusive of all taxes in Indian Currency. This will allow the manufacturer, packer and importer to declare the MRP on the pre-packed commodities in a simplified manner while at the same time safeguarding the interests of consumers.

Submission of the Opposite Party

Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology, (W&M) Dharamshala has already imposed the penalty upon the opposite party that too on the complaint of present complainant, so any compensation if imposed upon opposite party will render it to be double jeopardy.

Observation of the Consumer Forum

Penalty imposed by the weights and measurement department is regarding violation of Legal Metrology rules.

The complaint before District Consumer Forum is regarding unfair trade practice for which the Consumer Redressal Forum has jurisdiction.

Consumer Protection Act is a special legislation, enacted to provide better protection for the interest of the consumers in diverse areas. The Consumer Protection Act, clearly lays down that the provisions of the Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

The Complainant being a consumer is having a right for protection pertaining to price of goods and once the opposite party charged amount more than the MRP.

The commission is empowered under Section 39 of consumer protection act 2019 to levy just and sufficient compensation against the opposite party for committing deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

Direction issued by the Consumer Forum

The complainant is a tourist and has sought compensation of Rs. 25000/- which went unrebutted by the opposite party. The compensation of Rs. 25000/- is just and sufficient.

The complainant is also entitled for litigation expenses to be paid by the opposite party.

Order

The complaint is partly allowed. The opposite party is directed to pay compensation to complainant to the tune of Rs.25,000/- and Rs.10,000/- as litigation costs.

The opposite party is also directed to discontinue the unfair trade practice forthwith.

Suggestion made to the State by the Consumer Forum

Online receipt/entry may be connected to end-to-end proposed online Excise Administration System, so as to bring transparency and protection of consumer rights regarding maintaining of quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and products.

It be ensured that the rate list of Liquor bottles be placed in conspicuous place of every liquor vendor, the rates be depicted in bold letters in Arabic numerals/figures, and product be shown in HINDI as well as in English.

Seema Bhatnagar

[koradanews]

కొత్త భాష్యం చెప్పిన బీర్ మంత్రి..!

excise-minister-ks-jawahar-controversy-comments #jawahar #exciseminister #controversycomments #excisepolicy #beer #temples #liquor #koradanews

బీర్‌ హెల్త్‌ డ్రింక్‌ అని… చెప్పి వివాదంలో చిక్కుకున్నారు ఏపీ ఎక్సైజ్‌ శాఖ మంత్రి జవహర్‌. ఆ వివాదం మరువకుముందే ఆయన తాజాగా మరోసారి అలాంటి కాంట్రవర్సీ కామెంట్సే చేశారు. దేవాలయాలకు 100 మీటర్ల పరిధిలో మద్యం షాపులు ఉండకూడదన్న నిబంధనకు ఆయన కొత్త భాష్యం చెప్పారు. దేవాలయాలన్నీ ఒకటి కాదని మంత్రిగారు సెలవించారు. కేవలం దేవాదాయశాఖ పరిధిలోని ఆలయాలకు మాత్రమే 100 మీటర్ల నిబంధన వర్తిస్తుందని వివరించారు. చట్టంలో…