Introduction

In the year 1910, the United Provinces Excise Act-1910 was implemented in relation to the import-export, transportation, manufacture, sale and possession of intoxicating liquor and intoxicating drugs in the United Province. This Act was approved by the Lieutenant Governor on 18 September 1909 and by the Governor General on 24 February 1910 and it was published on 12 June 1910 under Section 40 of the Indian Council Act 1960.

In accordance with the provisions of the said Act and the principles enunciated in Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, the basic policy of the Excise Department is to promote, enforce and make effective the prohibition of the unprescribed use of intoxicating substances. Giving priority to this aspect of prohibition, the Excise Department ensures that maximum revenue is obtained from the legal sale of intoxicating substances through proper supervision and control. Along with earning revenue, the Department also makes an important contribution to the industrial development of the state by formulating policies and controlling industries based on molasses and alcohol.

In order to end the monopoly of big contractors on the liquor business in Uttarakhand and to provide equal opportunities to new entrepreneurs to enter the liquor business and to make liquor available to consumers at reasonable prices, a new excise policy was implemented by the Uttarakhand government in the year 2001-2002. The earlier practice of contracting was abolished by this new policy. And with qualitative improvement in this policy, the Excise Policy of the year 2024-2025 has come into effect from 01-04-2024, in which an attempt has been made to give more benefits to the residents of the state of Uttarakhand.

Major activities Excise Department is responsible for:

Prohibition of the unprescribed use of intoxicating substances.
Department ensures that maximum revenue is obtained from the legal sale of intoxicating substances through proper supervision.
Contribution to the industrial development of the state.