AHMEDABAD: Dry Gujarat has registered a 58% rise in the number of liquor permit holders on health grounds in three years. Against 27,452 such permit holders in November 2020, Gujarat now has 43,470, according to data compiled by the state prohibition department. Sources said the backlog of renewals has shrunk and new applications are also being processed swiftly, boosting sales for liquor stores in the state.
Data reveals that Ahmedabad has a maximum of 13,456 permit holders, followed by Surat (9,238), Rajkot (4,502), Vadodara (2,743), Jamnagar (2,039) and Gandhinagar (1,851).
“Increasing incidences of insomnia, anxiety and hypertension has more people above 40 years of age applying for liquor health permits. The state prohibition and excise department has also been swift in clearing liquor permit applications. As a result, the overall numbers are going up,” said a source.
A senior official in the department indicated that some permits get cancelled automatically in case of deceased persons. However, net additions are higher.
The overall sale of liquor has increased by at least 20% in 2023 compared to last year in Gujarat.
“With the number of permit holders increasing, the sales are high. A major factor that has contributed to the growth of sales is visitor permits. This time around, there is a 30% rise in visitor permits, primarily due to the world cup cricket matches in addition to a string of G20 events that were held here,” said a city-based hotelier, whose property has a permit shop.
The average ticket size of purchases per customer is Rs 6,000 which has also increased according to permit store owners. “The preference for vodka and white rum is also increasing as people who are well-travelled often prefer cocktails,” said another city-based hotelier.
“Our procurement of imported liquor including single malts and wines has increased by at least 40% in a year owing to high demand,” said a hotelier.
Around 77 hotels in Gujarat currently have permit-liquor stores. Sources in the state prohibition department said 18 applications for new liquor stores are in the pipeline.
Data reveals that Ahmedabad has a maximum of 13,456 permit holders, followed by Surat (9,238), Rajkot (4,502), Vadodara (2,743), Jamnagar (2,039) and Gandhinagar (1,851).
“Increasing incidences of insomnia, anxiety and hypertension has more people above 40 years of age applying for liquor health permits. The state prohibition and excise department has also been swift in clearing liquor permit applications. As a result, the overall numbers are going up,” said a source.
A senior official in the department indicated that some permits get cancelled automatically in case of deceased persons. However, net additions are higher.
The overall sale of liquor has increased by at least 20% in 2023 compared to last year in Gujarat.
“With the number of permit holders increasing, the sales are high. A major factor that has contributed to the growth of sales is visitor permits. This time around, there is a 30% rise in visitor permits, primarily due to the world cup cricket matches in addition to a string of G20 events that were held here,” said a city-based hotelier, whose property has a permit shop.
The average ticket size of purchases per customer is Rs 6,000 which has also increased according to permit store owners. “The preference for vodka and white rum is also increasing as people who are well-travelled often prefer cocktails,” said another city-based hotelier.
“Our procurement of imported liquor including single malts and wines has increased by at least 40% in a year owing to high demand,” said a hotelier.
Around 77 hotels in Gujarat currently have permit-liquor stores. Sources in the state prohibition department said 18 applications for new liquor stores are in the pipeline.