Liquor sales continue at shops despite licence expiry

Around 35 liquor shops in the district allegedly continue to sell liquor even after their licences expired on September 30, with some traders reportedly using other licensed outlets’ IDs to lift stock from Excise depots.

The government had issued two-year licences to 158 liquor shops in September 2024. Once these lapsed, it allowed renewal for a further year for ₹35 lakh per shop within city limits.

While the owners of 107 shops renewed their licences, those of the remaining 51 did not. These outlets were required to shut on October 1 and, lacking valid licences and shop IDs, are barred from procuring liquor from Excise depots.

Yet sales are reportedly continuing at about 35 of them. Some traders who run multiple outlets are alleged to be using the IDs of their licensed shops to obtain stock and divert it to the unlicensed ones.

Meanwhile, the Excise Department has begun allotting the 51 shops to new operators. Applicants have been asked to pay an application fee of ₹3 lakh, and a shop will be allotted by lottery if it draws at least four applications.

The reported sales at the closed outlets have raised questions about the department’s enforcement. Officials are responsible for ensuring that liquor is sold only through licensed shops and that stock procured against valid shop IDs is not diverted to unauthorised outlets.

The alleged use of active shop IDs to supply liquor to outlets with expired licences calls for scrutiny. The department has yet to say whether the affected shops have been inspected or whether any action has been initiated against those allegedly violating licence conditions.