UP to increase foreign liquor license fee by 20%

The Uttar Pradesh state cabinet, on January 22, has given approval to increase the license fee for foreign liquor by 20 percent. The same for beer will increase by 15 percent and 10 percent for country liquor as a part of the 2020-21 excise policy.

"The government has made a simple and transparent excise policy. Renewal of licences will be done through e-lottery. Under the new policy, one person will be allowed to have only two shops in the state," Principal Secretary, Excise, Sanjay Bhoosreddy said while briefing reporters at a press conference here after the Cabinet meeting.

"The beer shops will now be able to sell wines. Licence fee will be charged to serve liquor in luxury trains and cruises within the state boundary, which was free earlier. Licences will be given to airport lounges and hotels located outside the airport where flight passengers stay," he said.

Bar codes will be put on all liquor bottles so that consumers can check whether liquor is real or not, he said.