Lucknow Launches Online Lottery for Liquor Shops

Lucknow's excise department has launched an online lottery system for allocating liquor shops, with registration starting Friday. This move could significantly impact local businesses and consumers.

Key Takeaways:

• Online lottery registration for liquor shop ownership in Lucknow begins Friday
• 1,071 new shops to be allocated, including country liquor, composite, model, and bhang outlets
• New rules aim to improve ease of doing business, including removal of earnest money requirement

The excise department in Lucknow has unveiled a new online lottery system for the allocation of liquor shops across Uttar Pradesh's 75 districts. This development marks a significant shift in how the state manages its liquor retail sector.

Registration for the lottery opened on Friday, with the department publishing a list of available shops on local district administration websites. In Lucknow alone, 1,071 new outlets are up for grabs, comprising 572 country liquor shops, 400 composite shops, 56 model shops, and 43 bhang shops.

Excise Commissioner Adarsh Singh announced several key changes to the allocation process. Unlike previous years, only individuals can apply for retail shops, excluding companies, private firms, and partnerships. This move aims to level the playing field for smaller entrepreneurs.

In a bid to enhance the ease of doing business, the department has eliminated the requirement for earnest money from participants. Instead, successful applicants will need to provide e-bank guarantees within a specified timeframe after being awarded a shop.

The lottery system allows applicants from across India to try their luck, with each individual permitted to apply for multiple shops. However, a maximum of two shops per person will be allocated if shortlisted in the draw.

Registration will remain open until February 27, with the first phase of the draw scheduled for March 6. The department has introduced a tiered fee structure for applications, ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the shop category and location.

This new system represents a significant change in Uttar Pradesh's liquor retail landscape, potentially opening up opportunities for new entrants while reshaping the existing market structure. As the registration period progresses, it will be interesting to see how this lottery impacts the local economy and consumer choices in the liquor sector.