*Punjab’s excise revenue to reach ₹12,800 crore in 2026-27, boosting public welfare by funding schools, hospitals and pro-people schemes: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*From ₹2,755 crore under Akali-BJP to ₹11,200 crore in 2025-26, excise reforms have rewritten Punjab’s revenue story: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*New Excise Policy focuses on transparency, Ease of Doing Business & crackdown on illicit liquor: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Zero tolerance against smuggling; over 4,400 FIRs, 26,000 raids conducted: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH, 23rd February 2026:Projecting excise revenue of ₹12,800 crore for 2026-27, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday asserted that Punjab’s excise reforms have not only rewritten the state’s revenue trajectory but are now directly strengthening public welfare by funding schools, hospitals and other pro-people schemes.
Announcing the new Excise Policy, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state has moved decisively away from the stagnation of previous Congress and Akali-BJP governments, transforming excise into a transparent, enforcement-driven and growth-oriented sector that is delivering record collections while tightening the noose around illicit trade.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, alongside Excise and Taxation Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented a detailed comparative analysis of the state’s excise trajectory. He stated, “During the SAD-BJP regime in 2011-12, excise revenue stood at a modest ₹2,755 crore. Over the subsequent decade, growth remained slow and it reached only ₹6,255 crore during the Congress regime in 2021-22.”
The Excise and Taxation Minister asserted, “However, following the implementation of a more robust policy framework in 2022-23 by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, the state witnessed an immediate and massive leap to ₹8,428 crore. This momentum has continued unabated, with revenue climbing to ₹10,744 crore in the 2024-25 period and meeting the current target of ₹11,200 crore for 2025-26.”
Detailing key provisions of the new Excise Policy for 2026-27, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema noted, “The Punjab Government has introduced several measures to streamline operations and support existing businesses. A primary feature includes the renewal of current retail licenses at a 6.5% increase over the 2025-26 fees. In cases where groups are not renewed, the allotment will be handled through a transparent e-tender process.”
He further stated, “The quota for Punjab Medium Liquor at 50 and 65 degrees has been increased by 3%, bringing the total to 8.79 crore Proof Litres to meet consumer demand while regulating the market. Furthermore, to combat the sale of illicit alcohol, the government will introduce 40-degree PML sub-vends specifically in areas identified as high-crime zones under the Excise Act.”
Emphasising the government’s focus on Ease of Doing Business, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced, “Brand price increases of up to 4% under EDP and EBP will now be subject to an auto-approval mechanism, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays.” He added, “The government is also working to extend the operating and dispatch hours for units to improve logistical efficiency.”
In a landmark step towards industrial self-reliance and economic diversification, the Minister announced that Punjab will now host its own Malt Manufacturing Units. He said, “This strategic initiative signals a sophisticated evolution in the state’s industrial policy, transitioning Punjab from a downstream bottling-centric economy to a high-value manufacturing hub.”
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted, “By domesticating the entire production cycle, from the processing of barley to the distillation of premium malt, the state aims to eliminate its dependence on external suppliers for raw spirits. This shift not only ensures the production of superior, homegrown quality spirits within state borders but also creates a robust farm-to-factory ecosystem that adds significant value to Punjab’s agricultural output.”
He emphasised that this transition is designed to retain capital within the state, generate specialised technical employment, and strengthen Punjab’s position as a leader in high-end industrial distillation.
Sharing enforcement data, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema underlined the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy against liquor smuggling from neighbouring states and Chandigarh. He said, “Law enforcement has been exceptionally active, resulting in 4,406 FIRs and the arrest of 4,324 individuals. Operations included 26,218 raids and the establishment of 24,832 checkpoints, leading to the confiscation of 455 vehicles and 1,76,552 bottles of liquor. Additionally, the Excise Department destroyed 3,823,576 litres of Lahan, seized 82,990 litres of Ethanol and ENA, 66,794 litres of illicit liquor, and dismantled 374 working stills, reaffirming the state’s commitment to public safety and legal integrity.”
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*Punjab Government to soon organize NRI meet: Dr. Ravjot Singh*
*Problems of NRIs will be resolved on priority basis*
*Orders to hold NRI Sabha elections soon*
Chandigarh, February 23:The Punjab Government will soon organize district-wise NRI meet. This information was given by Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh after presiding over a high-level meeting of the department on NRI matters here today.
Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the Punjab Government is continuously organizing NRI meets to resolve the problems of Punjabi NRIs living abroad and in this direction, NRI meet will be held in every district of the state during the current year.
The Cabinet Minister said that our main objective is to solve the problems faced by NRIs and this can be done by reaching out to them. This step would ensure that they do not have to make unnecessary rounds of government offices.
The Minister further instructed the officers to resolve the issues and complaints of NRIs within the stipulated time. He said that the State Government is committed to protecting the interests of Punjabis living abroad.
He said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to resolving the problems of NRI Punjabis living abroad on priority basis. He said that the State Government has made adequate arrangements to ensure the protection of the rights of NRIs related to their land and property in Punjab.
The Minister instructed the departmental officers that the election of the NRI Sabha be held soon and the necessary action in this regard should be taken expeditiously.
On this occasion, Secretary of NRI Affairs V.N. Zade, Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar and Secretary Information and Public Relations Department Mr. Ramvir, Special Secretary NRI Affairs Mrs. Amandeep Kaur, ADGP NRI Affairs Mr. R.K. Jaiswal, Additional Secretary NRI Affairs Mr. R.B.S. Brar and AIG Mr. Ajinder Singh were present.
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Jasvir Singh Garhi listens to the problems of SC employee organizations of Punjab
SC employee organizations demanded evaluation of reservation policy and implementation of 85th amendment
Demand made regarding regularization of services of raw employees
Chandigarh, February 23:Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Mr. Jasvir Singh Garhi chaired a special meeting at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh to resolve the problems of SC employee organizations of Punjab belonging to the Scheduled Caste category and the difficulties faced in implementing the constitutional rights.
Most of the SC employee organizations of the state participated in this meeting. During the meeting, the representatives of the organizations demanded a re-evaluation of the rules implemented in Punjab regarding reservation/representation and said that the reservation policy in the state of Punjab was decided as per the 1971 census, in which no evaluation has been done despite the passage of 50 years, while the Dalit population in the state of Punjab has increased to more than 38 percent. Along with this, these leaders raised the issues related to the implementation of the 85th Constitutional Amendment, withdrawal of the unconstitutional letter issued on 10-10-2014, backlog recruitments of SC posts, roster registers and demanded from the Commission to take immediate action in this regard to resolve these issues.
The employee organizations also raised the issue of contractual employees and demanded from the Commission that efforts should be made to regularize their services.
In today's meeting, S. Jasvir Singh Pal, S. Avtar Singh Kainth, S. Amrik Singh Bangar, S. Krishan Singh and many others were present.
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*Speaker extends best wishes to student Ranvir Singh Sachdeva for contributing in AI technology*
Chandigarh 23 February 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan congratulated eight year old Ranvir Singh Sachdeva for his contribution in artificial intelligence based technologies and wished him best wishes for his future. He said that whatever he wants in his future, may God bless him and he may achieve pinnacle of glory in his life. He said that children are the future of our country and if they get quality education, our country will prosper. He added that the entire Sikh community is proud of him.
While participating in India AI Impact summit, Student Ranvir Singh Sachdeva said he is linking ancient Indian philosophies with modern days in artificial intelligence technologies. The world will adopt it in the coming era. He wants to contribute in AI driven technologies as it will contribute immensely in GDP growth of India.
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Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak thanks Chief Minister for nod to MERI RASOI yojna
Terms, new scheme as giant step forward in furthering interests of NFSA beneficiaries
Chandigarh, February 23:Terming the 'Meri Rasoi' yojna given nod today by the Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, as a giant step forward in terms of widening the facilities for registered beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for undertaking such a huge and unprecedented pro-people measure.
The Minister further said that the path breaking initiative has been undertaken keeping in mind the interests of the beneficiaries.
Notably, there are 40 Lakh beneficiaries under NFSA in the State. Till now, the beneficiaries (Blue Card Holders) were only given Wheat. But as per the scheme, scheduled to commence from April 1st, okayed by the State Cabinet the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department would provide Specialized ration kits to the beneficiaries after every three months.
The ration kit would include 2 Kg Dal, 2 Kg Sugar, 1 Kg iodized Salt, 200 Gram Turmeric powder and 1 Litre mustard oil.