Lucknow,

06 Feb (H.S.): The Uttar Pradesh government has announced significant

modifications to its Excise Policy for fiscal year 2025-26, including the

introduction of an e-lottery method for allocating liquor and cannabis

establishments. For the first time, the Cabinet authorized 'Composite Shops,'

which combine current beer and foreign liquor stores into single,

customer-friendly facilities. Excise Minister Nitin Agarwal stated that all

kinds of liquor outlets, including country liquor, model shops, and cannabis

stores, will be allocated using an e-lottery method. The change is intended to

avoid monopolies, as people may only hold two shop permits statewide under the

current system.

Significant adjustments to processing fees, which are now classified by area,

as well as new packaging requirements for various types of liquor, reflect the

government's objective for modernizing the industry while boosting local

fruit-based liquor manufacturing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi