Madhya Pradesh Govt Launches ‘Low Alcoholic Beverage Bar’ Initiative

Madhya Pradesh Govt Launches’ Initiative: The Madhya Pradesh government has launched its new excise policy. Under the policy, from April 1, 2025, liquor shops will be closed in the designated religious cities of the state.

The policy has also approved a new category, ‘Low Alcoholic Beverage Bar’, under which beer, wine, and ready-to-drink liquor with an alcohol content of 10 per cent or less will be served. Serving hard drinks in such bars will be prohibited.

An official said that as per the new policy, which was released on Sunday, these low-alcohol bars would serve beer, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Only those drinks with an alcohol content of up to 10 per cent v/v (volume on volume) would be allowed for consumption in the new bars.

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Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the liquor sale ban on January 23 after the new excise policy was cleared. The move will cause the state government to lose about Rs 450 crore in excise revenue.

However, no penalty will be imposed for fetching booze from outside and drinking it individually in such areas as prohibition law is not in force in Madhya Pradesh, officials explained.

Which holy cities will have a liquor sale ban?

The cities where liquor shops have been closed due to their religious significance are Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur, Amarkantak, Salkanpur, Barman Kala, Linga, Barman Khurd, Kundalpur, and Bandakpur.

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According to the policy, heritage liquor will be sold at wine outlets, including airports.

Four years ago, the Madhya Pradesh government announced plans to promote heritage liquor to improve the economic condition of tribal communities. Heritage liquor is a traditional spirit made from selected Mahua flowers by tribal self-help groups. Liquor produced by heritage liquor-making units will be exempt from the state’s value-added tax (VAT).

The new policy also states that, like Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior airports, foreign liquor counters can also be opened at other commercial airports in the state. One counter each can be set up at the arrival and departure gates.

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