The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has now made it mandatory to have a license to keep liquor at home. However, you will only need a license ig you keep liquor over the prescribed limit.
As per the revised excise policy in Uttar Pradesh, "individuals will have to obtain a license to purchase, transport or keep in private possession liquor in excess of the prescribed retail limit."
According to the new policy, the limit of purchasing, transport, or private possession of only six litres of alcohol per person or in a house is fixed. In order to consume more liquor than this, a license has to be obtained from the Excise Department.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath, on the move, told reporters that this step will "check liquor smuggling and is in overall interest of the state".
When asked whether state government has plans to make Uttar Pradesh liquor-free, he said, "We cannot forcefully impose something but whatever will be in the interest of the state we will take those steps."
The Excise Department will provide the license at an annual fee of Rs 12,000 while Rs 51,000 will have to be deposited as security money under the stipulated conditions. The license will have to be renewed after one year.
"The state government has set a revenue target of Rs 6,000 crore more than Rs 34,500 crore in the year 2021-22, against Rs 28,300 crore in the year 2020-21 of the Excise Department. As a result, 7.5% increase in annual license fees for country liquor, foreign liquor retail shops, and model shops for the year 2021-22. There has been no increase in the retail shop license fees of beer," said additional chief secretary, excise, Sanjay Bhoosreddy.
He further added, "To promote liquor production in the state under the new policy, the liquor produced in the state from the fruits produced in the state will be exempted from consideration duty for the next five years."
The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed sale of select types of alcohol in shopping malls. Earlier, sale of liquor was allowed only at certified model shops in the state. Liquor is banned in Bihar, the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh. There is restriction on sale of liquor in Gujarat as well.
(With agency inputs)