Gurpreet Singh :- The excise auction process in Punjab has received a tepid response, with around 10 liquor vends still remaining unallotted despite multiple rounds of bidding. Industry players attribute the lack of interest to high licence fees and shrinking profit margins, which have discouraged contractors from investing in these groups.
In an effort to revive participation, the Excise Department has announced a reduction of up to 15 per cent in licence fees for the pending groups. Officials believe that the relief may help attract bidders and expedite the allocation process.
The department has also set April 4, 4 pm as the revised deadline for submission of applications through the e-tendering process. Authorities are hopeful of improved response within the extended window.
Several key locations continue to remain without bidders, including New Chandigarh, Bharatgarh in Rupnagar, Amritsar city centre, Tanda and Dasuya in Hoshiarpur district, BMC Chowk in Jalandhar East, Phagwara, Pathankot bus stand, and Ferozepur Cantonment.
Contractors, however, remain cautious, citing substantial losses incurred during the current financial year. Many stakeholders have expressed reluctance to take on additional financial risk under prevailing market conditions.
They have also called for policy-level interventions, suggesting tighter regulation of liquor distribution and sale to stabilise the market and reduce unhealthy competition. According to them, clearer and more consistent policies would help restore confidence among licence holders while safeguarding government revenue.
Despite the concessions offered, the effectiveness of the department’s strategy will only become clear after the April 4 deadline, which is expected to determine whether the remaining groups finally find takers.
