According to relevant data, last year, country liquor (250 ml pouch) had an estimated sale of 6 lakh, foreign liquor 75,000 bottles and beer cans 3 lakh, with a total revenue of around Rs 11.5 crore.
“With the total sale of liquor in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the government earned a revenue of about Rs 14 crore in two days of March 6 and 7. This is the highest revenue generated from the sale of liquor on any festive occasion in the district. outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,” district excise officer Rakesh Bahadur Singh told PTI.
Overall, there are 549 liquor shops in Noida and Greater Noida, including shops selling foreign and country liquor, according to the department.
Another official said that on March 8, liquor shops were completely closed due to Holi.
“No major incident of smuggling of illicit liquor came to light this time,” the official said. The Excise Department along with the police have increased vigilance especially at the border points of Noida and Greater Noida.
Gautam Buddh Nagar, in western Uttar Pradesh adjacent to Delhi, observes compulsorily dry days on 26 January, 14 April, 15 August and 2 October every year. Dry days are also observed on special occasions like Holi or when elections are held at the local level or in neighboring districts and states, the official said.