Chandigarh, June 13 -- The excise and taxation department has allotted all 97 retail liquor vends for the year 2026-27, marking the first complete allotment in the past decade. The development is being seen as a major endorsement of the administration's revamped excise policy and transparent auction process.

The allotment exercise drew an overwhelming response from bidders, with total bids amounting to Rs.563.8 crore against a reserve price of Rs.453 crore. This translated into an increase of Rs.110.7 crore - approximately 24.4% above the base price.

Several vends unsold last year

The current performance marks a turnaround from last year's excise cycle, which was marred by multiple challenges. Several liquor vends had remained unsold d...