Excise Dept to conduct auction of Yamunanagar liquor zones today

After six unsuccessful rounds of auction, the Excise and Taxation Department has announced a fresh date — June 25 — for the allotment of the remaining retail liquor zones in Yamunanagar district under the 2025–27 excise policy.

The department had created 55 liquor zones in the district, covering both country liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) vends, with a total reserve price of Rs 484.77 crore. However, only 10 zones could be auctioned in the second round, held at the district secretariat in Jagadhri on June 4.

The most recent — sixth round of auction — was conducted on Monday evening for the remaining 45 liquor zones, comprising 90 retail liquor shops, but no contractors came forward to place a bid, officials said.

It is being alleged that liquor contractors are deliberately staying away from the bidding process due to threats and pressure from miscreants, who reportedly demand “unwanted benefits” in exchange for allowing them to operate freely.

Confirming the development, Alok Passi, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Yamunanagar, said: “The fresh date for auction of the remaining liquor zones has been fixed for June 25. We are hopeful contractors will come forward and all remaining liquor zones will be allotted to them in the district soon.”

So far, despite multiple attempts, the department has struggled to attract bidders, raising concerns over potential revenue loss and enforcement challenges in managing unauthorised or illegal liquor sales if zones remain unauctioned.