42 Liquor Shops Sealed in Kangra for Failing to Pay ₹7.28 Crore License Fee

Contractors blame slowdown in sales during heavy monsoon rains for payment delays

The State Excise Department has sealed 42 liquor shops across Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district after license holders failed to clear outstanding dues totaling ₹7.28 crore within the stipulated time.

According to officials, ₹5.62 crore is owed by 38 shops located in areas including Nagrota Bagwan, while the remaining ₹1.66 crore is pending from seven other outlets across the district.

Kangra’s Assistant Excise Commissioner, Ravinder Singh, said the department sealed the shops on Monday and Tuesday after granting repeated extensions for payment.

The shops were initially auctioned in March and April this year, but no contractors came forward to operate them. As an interim arrangement, they were handed over to the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation. Following government directions, a fresh auction was held in June and July, and the outlets were reallocated to liquor contractors.

“At the time of reallocation, contractors deposited 11% of the license fee. However, even after more than two months, the remaining payment has not been made, which has become a matter of concern for both the Excise Department and the state government,” Singh said. “Therefore, we were left with no option but to seal the defaulter shops.”

Contractors have attributed the delay to a sharp drop in business during the monsoon, saying heavy rainfall led to a downturn in tourism and local trade, which severely impacted liquor sales.

The Excise Department, however, maintains that the sealed shops will only be reopened after full payment of the license fee, arrears, and applicable penalties as per excise policy.

“We are preparing individual case files for each liquor vendor,” Singh added, “and these will be forwarded to the Collector’s office for further action under the state’s excise regulations.”