Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has introduced wide-ranging changes in Uttar Pradesh’s Excise Department this year, marking what officials describe as a major phase of reform in the sector. The changes, driven by a new excise policy, have reshaped the department’s functioning and strengthened revenue collection, investment inflows and job creation, reports Hans India.
Under the new policy, the Excise Department has moved to a technology-based and transparent system. Alongside administrative changes, the department has recorded strong growth in revenue while also attracting fresh investments and generating employment.
Officials said the revised excise policy has helped improve the public image of the department and increased trust in its functioning. This year, liquor shops were allotted through an online lottery system, replacing earlier methods and ensuring a fair, transparent and fully digital process for issuing licences.
Several other processes have also been shifted online. These include the issuance of wholesale and bond licences, approval of labels on liquor bottles, fixing of maximum retail prices, and granting permits for alcohol exports. Authorities said the move has improved efficiency while ensuring accountability at every stage.
The new policy has introduced strict oversight from production to sale. The production, lifting and distribution of molasses have been fully digitised. Surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras, have been installed at distilleries and production units. Liquor and spirit tankers are now fitted with digital locks and are allowed to operate only with GPS tracking. Distilleries have also been equipped with digital measuring tools and sensors to prevent theft and illegal diversion.
The state government has also stepped up action against illegal liquor and related crimes. During the year, nearly 80,000 cases linked to the production and smuggling of illicit liquor were registered across Uttar Pradesh. Authorities seized more than 20 lakh litres of illegal liquor and other banned substances. Over 15,000 people were arrested, with more than 2,700 sent to jail.
To encourage public participation, a control and command centre has been set up in Lucknow to receive information on illegal liquor through a toll-free number and a WhatsApp helpline. A mobile application has also been launched to help citizens check the authenticity of liquor products.
The impact of the policy changes is reflected in revenue figures. In the financial year 2025–26, up to November, the state collected excise revenue of Rs 35,144.11 crore. This represents a rise of nearly 16 per cent compared to Rs 30,402.34 crore collected during the same period last year, generating an additional Rs 4,741.77 crore for the state.
Ethanol production in Uttar Pradesh also reached a record level this year, touching 182 crore litres, the highest ever for the state. Of this, more than 105 crore litres were sold within Uttar Pradesh, while nearly 41 crore litres were supplied outside the state, strengthening its position as a key ethanol supplier.
Officials said reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business have boosted growth in liquor, beer, wine and alcohol-based industries. Under the Invest UP programme, 140 investment agreements have been signed with proposed investments of over Rs 35,000 crore. Land has already been allotted to 56 projects that are ready to begin operations, while 35 projects are currently running.
These projects have attracted investments of more than Rs 4,000 crore and created jobs for over 5,000 people, contributing to employment generation and overall economic growth in the state.
