Guwahati: Wine Shops in GMC Area to Remain Open until 11 pm

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The state Excise Department has notified allowing wine shops and country spirit to remain open until 11 pm against the existing 10 pm; bars in hotels and wine shops in restaurants will remain open until 12.30 am within the GMC area.

The department has also banned the sale of nano packets or bottles of IMFL in the state, as such smaller packs have been very popular among students for being handy to carry. According to the notification issued on April 7, 2025, now on there will be no sales of IMFL bottles below 180 ml. However, the department will allow the sales of the existing stocks of nano packets of IMFL.

The state has 1,836 IMFL retail shops, 1,060 bars, and 996 shops of country spirit. From 2016-17 to 2024-25, the Excise Department earned Rs 17,633 crore as revenue.

According to the notification, the licence holders of country spirit shops can also apply for the sale of IMFL within 60 days from the date of issue of the notification. Likewise, the bar licence holders in rural areas can also apply for the sale of IMFL within 60 days from the date of issuance of the notification.

To earn more revenue, the department has changed the tax slab on the sales of FMFL (Foreign Made Foreign Liquor), and this will make the department earn about an additional amount of Rs 500 crore as revenue.

During the recent Cabinet meeting held in Dibrugarh, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Cabinet approved a policy to allow the opening of wine shops and bars for a longer period in the state.

Also Read: Now only highest bidder will get a wine shop license in Assam

Also Watch: