Chandigarh, April 7: Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Tuesday that the state’s excise revenue has reached a milestone of ₹11,782 crore for the 2025-26 financial year. This figure exceeds the revised collection target of ₹11,200 crore by ₹582 crore, which the Minister attributed to robust policy measures and efficient administration.
The Finance Minister stated that the state has seen a historic transformation in its fiscal health, with revenue almost doubling from ₹6,254.84 crore to the current levels over the last four years. “This accomplishment underscores the department’s strong commitment to maximising revenue while ensuring transparency and compliance,” Cheema maintained. He further noted that a fresh target of ₹12,800 crore has been established for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
According to the Minister, all 207 retail liquor groups for the upcoming year have already been successfully allotted. He affirmed that this total allotment reflects the confidence licensees have in the state government’s current excise framework. The policy for 2026-27 aims for a license fee collection of ₹10,520 crore, an increase from the previous year’s goal of ₹9,877 crore.
Cheema asserted that the government remains confident in reaching its future targets through strengthened enforcement and strategic interventions. He concluded that the current trajectory ensures stability in the liquor trade while maintaining a steady flow of funds to the state exchequer.
