Excise

Delhi’s excise collections for the April–September half of FY26 surged by over 12 percent, reaching Rs. 4,192.86 crore, driven largely by higher liquor sales and improved enforcement measures. The growth signals healthy demand and provides momentum toward achieving the revised annual target of Rs. 6,000 crore. Excluding VAT, monthly excise receipts leapt by nearly 85 percent over the same period last year. Meanwhile, officials are preparing a new excise policy to modernize pricing, licensing, and regulatory oversight.

India’s spirits industry has raised concerns over structural imbalances in state-level excise policies, pointing to an uneven playing field between domestic spirits and imported alcoholic beverages. Industry representatives argue that current frameworks often result in higher effective taxation on Indian-made liquors compared with international brands, reducing competitiveness in the domestic market. These disparities, they contend, are stifling growth, discouraging investment, and limiting the sector’s ability to fully capitalize on rising consumer demand.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema conducted a surprise inspection of the Excise and Taxation Department’s head office in Patiala on Tuesday, intensifying the government’s crackdown on bureaucratic inefficiency. Citing persistent delays in file processing and absenteeism, Cheema labeled such delays as a form of corruption, calling for swift and accountable governance. Several documents were seized for further review, and disciplinary action has been ordered against staff violating protocol.