UP liquor shops offer huge discounts ahead of new policy
What's the story
Ahead of a new liquor policy coming into effect from April 1, shops in Uttar Pradesh are selling at huge discounts.
The tactic includes attractive offers like "buy one, get one free," which is being offered in many cities, including Lucknow.
The move is to clear old stock and avoid heavy losses for shop owners, as they would otherwise have to destroy unsold stock after the policy change.
Petition filed
Traders petition government for stock clearance
Traders have requested the government to take back the remaining stock before March 31, but no instructions have been issued yet.
If the government doesn't intervene, traders will be left with no option but to destroy their unused stock after March 31.
This comes after a change in UP's liquor licensing system after six years of routine renewals.
Policy changes
New e-lottery system and composite shops introduced
The new liquor policy has brought in e-lottery for liquor vendors instead of the renewals.
There will be composite shops where beer and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) will be sold together.
Country liquor will have to be packaged in tetra packs for safety and to avoid adulteration.
Along with this, the Minimum Guaranteed Quantity (MGQ) for country liquor has been increased by 10%.
The license fee per bulk liter has also been increased from ₹254 to ₹260.