The Excise Department Himachal Pradesh, on March 31, 2026, has issued a notification introducing amendments to the Punjab Distillery Rules, 1932 under the powers of the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act, 2011 and the Punjab Excise Act, 1914. The amendments, effective from April 1, 2026, substitute sub-rule 9.34(B) to strengthen excise administration through a technology-driven framework.
The amendment mandates the establishment of an end-to-end online Excise Administration System incorporating track and trace mechanisms for liquor bottles, enabling real-time monitoring. Distributors, wholesalers, and retailers are required to install department-specified hardware to support the system. Additionally, all transportation of liquor and spirit from manufacturing units must be carried out through GPS-enabled vehicles, with compliance monitored by district authorities.
Further, all liquor products must carry prescribed security markings such as holograms or Excise Adhesive Labels (EAL). Stakeholders including manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers are required to submit an affidavit confirming implementation of the track and trace system. These measures aim to enhance transparency, curb leakages, and strengthen regulatory oversight in the excise supply chain.
[Notification No.: 7-1/2026-EXN-9608]
