GUWAHATI: Assam Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya shared details regarding liquor shops in Assam and the revenue generated over the last five years.
According to Suklabaidya, Assam currently boasts 1707 Foreign Liquor Shops (IMFL OFF), 923 Indian Made Foreign Liquor Shops (IMFL ON), and 373 Country Spirit Shops (Country Spirit).
The revenue collected from these liquor shops, categorised as IMFL OFF, IMFL ON, and Country Spirit, over the last five years is as follows:
• 2019-20: IMFL OFF - ₹1639.61 crore, IMFL ON - ₹967.07 crore, Total - ₹2606.68 crore
• 2020-21: IMFL OFF - ₹2031.33 crore, IMFL ON - ₹946.28 crore, Total - ₹2977.61 crore
• 2021-22: IMFL OFF - ₹1930.67 crore, IMFL ON - ₹1117.31 crore, Total - ₹3047.98 crore
• 2022-23: IMFL OFF - ₹2527.64 crore, IMFL ON - ₹1452.42 crore, Total - ₹3980.06 crore
• 2023-24 (as of January 2024): IMFL OFF - ₹2459.04 crore, IMFL ON - ₹1357.14 crore, Total - ₹3816.18 crore
The minister confirmed that the issuance of IMFL OFF shop licenses in Assam is now conducted through online bidding. Post-bidding, District Excise authorities will grant licenses to successful bidders.
Elaborating on the minimum eligibility criteria for obtaining an IMFL OFF shop license, the minister emphasised that the criteria will be determined through the bid document associated with the online bidding process.