Haryana excise policy: Early closures, no liquor vends in small villages; here's what's changing

The Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved the new Excise Policy for 2025–27, which bars liquor sub-vends in villages with a population of 500 or less, besides tightening norms on advertising and retailing of alcohol.

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, cleared the policy to promote responsible alcohol distribution and align the excise cycle with the financial year, an official statement said.

The policy will come into effect from June 12, 2025, and continue till March 31, 2027. This 21.5-month policy cycle will mark a transition, after which future policies will align with the April–March financial year.

No liquor vends in small villages

Under the new norms, no liquor sub-vend will be allowed in villages with a population of 500 or fewer. This provision will result in the closure of 152 existing sub-vends across the state from the start of the new policy cycle.

Alcohol ad ban

The government also imposed a complete ban on liquor advertisements, including within licensed zones. Violations will attract steep penalties: ₹1 lakh for the first offence, ₹2 lakh for the second, and ₹3 lakh for the third. Subsequent breaches may lead to cancellation of the allotted zone, the statement said.

Curbs on taverns

The policy also tightens rules for the operation of taverns (L-52), which must now function only from enclosed premises approved by the department and not be visible from outside. Live singing, dancing, and theatrical performances at these venues have been explicitly prohibited.

Liquor store timing

Liquor vends in urban areas will no longer be allowed to open after 4 am, as against the earlier provision of 8 am.

The process of granting temporary licences (L-12A and L-12A-C) for events has been rationalised. Higher fees will now be levied for one-day licences at unregistered commercial venues like banquet halls, especially in cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula.

The policy mandates all liquor vends and sub-vends to prominently display the messages “Consumption of Alcohol is Injurious to Health” and “Do Not Drink and Drive” on their signboards.

The state government has set a revenue collection target of Rs 14,064 crore for FY26. In FY25, the Excise and Taxation Department collected Rs 12,700 crore, exceeding the target of Rs 12,650 crore, the statement added.