Booze to cost more in Punjab as govt eyes Rs 874 crore revenue

Punjab's new 2025-26 excise policy has made liquor costlier with a fresh revenue target of Rs 11,020 crore. The number of liquor groups has been reduced to 207, enforcing an extra licence fee across all liquor types. Additionally, a special licence fee for gaushalas has increased by 50%, linking whiskey sales to cow welfare.