Punjab Excise department surpasses revenue target by ₹582 crore in 2025-26

Punjab’s Excise and Taxation Department has closed the financial year 2025-26 on a high note, surpassing its revised revenue target by ₹582 crore. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Tuesday (April 7, 2026) that the department collected ₹11,782 crore up to March 31, 2026, against the revised target of ₹11,200 crore, a performance he attributed to sound excise policy and efficient administration.

Attributing this success directly to the State government’s proactive governance and trade-friendly policies here, Mr. Cheema said “Significantly, excise revenue has nearly doubled over the past four years, rising from ₹6,254.84 crore to ₹11,782 crore, with a new target of ₹12,800 crore set for 2026-27. This accomplishment underscores the department’s strong commitment to maximising revenue while ensuring transparency and compliance.”

Detailing the blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year, Mr. Cheema said, “For the financial year 2026-27, the Excise Policy has been formulated with a projected license fee target of ₹10,520 crore, as compared to ₹9,877 crore in 2025-26. All 207 retail liquor groups in the State have been allotted for the year 2026-27, reflecting licensees’ confidence in the State government’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,” he added.

He said the Excise Department has set an ambitious overall revenue target of ₹12,800 crore for the financial year 2026-27. “The government is confident of achieving this goal through strengthened enforcement, enhanced compliance mechanisms and strategic policy interventions, striking a balance between revenue generation and regulatory efficiency,” he said.