In 2024, Guwahati consumed 2.44 crore litres of liquor till November 2024 whereas in 2023, the city polished off 2.74 crore litres during the same period.
Many new liquor shops and bars were opened in the city and its vicinity in 2024, but Guwahati drank less this year in comparison to last year.
A source in the Excise department talking to GPlus said, “Whiskey is the most preferred alcohol in the city,” adding that till November 2024, 13387118.1 BL (bulk litre) of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) was sold. During the same period, 9353903.2 BL beer was sold while country spirit sales were 1673003.1 BL totaling 24414024.4 BL.
One bottle of London Proof Litre (LPL) measures 750 ml; in one case, there are 12 bottles. One case is measured as 9 bulk litres which is nine litres.
In 2023, total 24742549 BL of liquor was sold till November 2023 comprising 14175477 BL IMFL, 9420856 BL beer and 1146216 BL country spirit.
Asked for the reason for the drop in sales this year, the Excise official said that it is very expensive to drink in bars these days because all have increased their rates after the taxes were increased.
“During festivals, the enforcement against drunken driving is stringent, therefore, people avid drinking,” said the official.
It needs to be mentioned that the Kamrup (Metro) district administration had floated tenders for 29 liquor shops in various places in Guwahati last year.
A survey was conducted in every district of the state for identifying where liquor is still sold illegally, and accordingly list of areas was decided where liquor shops need to be opened up so that illegal liquor sale do not happen and government does not lose revenue.
In Guwahati, 33 such areas were identified from where tenders were floated for 29 liquor shops. This year 19 liquor shops were opened after tendering process and the bidding process for 9 more liquor shops are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the bar owners are upset and irked at the increased annual renewal fee of the shops or bars. “Starting April 1, 2024, the annual fee of the on shops (bars) was increased depending upon the area of the bar,” said the official. Previously the renewal fee for bars was ₹ 2.5 lakh, but from April 1 this year, bars with an area up to 1000 sq feet are paying ₹4 lakh, bars with an area between 1000 sq feet to 2500 sq feet are paying ₹6 lakh and bars with areas above 2500 square feet are paying ₹8 lakh falling under municipal areas.