The Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has reported a historic surge in revenue, with liquor sales in December 2025 crossing the unprecedented mark of ₹500 crore. This record-breaking figure reflects a significant jump in consumption and tax collection during the winter festive period.
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The Festive Spike: Officials attribute the record revenue to the “double whammy” of the wedding season and the year-end festivities. The weeks leading up to Christmas and the preparations for New Year’s Eve saw a massive spike in demand for both Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country liquor.
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Premium Brand Growth: A notable trend this year was the increased demand for premium and imported liquor brands, particularly in urban hubs like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula. Gurugram alone contributed to nearly 30% of the total state revenue for this period.
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Excise Policy Impact: The department stated that the revised Excise Policy 2025, which streamlined the licensing process for temporary “Event Bar Licenses” for weddings and corporate parties, played a crucial role in boosting official sales and curbing the use of illicit or non-duty paid liquor.
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Enforcement & Vigilance: Despite the high sales, the department maintained strict vigil. “While we have seen record revenue, we have also increased our enforcement. Over 100 cases of smuggling from neighboring states were intercepted this month to ensure that only duty-paid liquor is sold in Haryana,” said a senior Excise official.
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Tourism Boost: The “House Full” status of hotels in Morni Hills and Kalesar (reported earlier this month) also significantly contributed to the consumption of liquor in the hospitality sector, further padding the state exchequer.
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Budgetary Implications: This windfall in revenue is expected to give the state government additional fiscal space for developmental projects in the upcoming last quarter of the financial year.
