Himachal may ban entry of liquor into state

In order to promote the sale of liquor in Himachal Pradesh, the state government is mulling over not allowing liquor to be brought into the state.

Due to heavy excise duty, liquor is very expensive in Himachal Pradesh; so many holidaymakers coming to the hill state prefer to bring cheaper liquor from neighbouring states.

Often tourists and locals can be seen buying liquor from vends located on the border in Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal and Jammu & Kashmir, where it is far cheaper.

Like most other states in the country barring liquor-dry Gujarat, travellers entering Himachal are allowed to carry at least two bottles of whiskey and a crate of beer.

But the Himachal government is considering changing the law.

Officials in the state excise department say bringing in liquor from other states is causing a loss of Rs 85 crore to the state exchequer as few buy liquor in the hill state.

"We do not intend harassing tourists and other travellers at the state borders but the Himachal government is considering amending the law so that cheaper liquor isn't allowed into Himachal from other states," said Susheel Negi, state excise commissioner.

If this ban is imposed, it will prove to be a fillip to the liquor industry in the state. The liquor lobby has been urging the state government to impose the ban for a while. But others say it will not be easy to impose and could put off travellers instead.