Chandigarh: Punjab has exceeded its excise revenue target for 2025-26, collecting Rs 11,782 crore till March 31. The amount is Rs 582 crore more than the revised target of Rs 11,200 crore.Announcing the figures, finance, planning, excise and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema attributed the gains to tighter enforcement and a trade-friendly policy regime. “Significantly, excise revenue has nearly doubled over the past four years, rising from Rs 6,254.8 crore to Rs 11,782 crore. A new target of Rs 12,800 crore has been set for 2026-27. This accomplishment underscores the department’s strong commitment to maximising revenue while ensuring transparency and compliance,” he said.“For the financial year 2026-27, the excise policy has been formulated with a projected licence fee target of Rs 10,520 crore, as compared to Rs 9,877 crore in 2025-26. It is pertinent to mention that all 207 retail liquor groups in the state have been allotted for the year 2026-27, reflecting licensees’ confidence in the state govt’s excise policy. The overall response to the excise policy 2026-27 has been encouraging. It has ensured stability in the liquor trade while maintaining a steady flow of revenue to the state exchequer,” Cheema added.He said the govt was confident of achieving its goal of earning a Rs 12,800-crore revenue this year. “We will do this through strengthened enforcement, enhanced compliance mechanisms and strategic policy interventions, striking a balance between revenue generation and regulatory efficiency,” he concluded.
