Liquor sales soar to Rs 102 crore in Jharkhand during Holi

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Mar 17: Holi celebrations in Jharkhand saw a massive surge in liquor sales, with the state consuming alcohol worth Rs 102 crore between March 11 and 14, according to a report by the Excise and Prohibition Department. The data reveals that liquor worth Rs 16.98 crore was sold on March 11, followed by Rs 25.01 crore on March 12, a whopping Rs 51.50 crore on March 13 and Rs 9.08 crore on March 14.

Compared to previous years, liquor consumption during Holi has seen a significant rise. In 2024, sales amounted to Rs 92.62 crore, while in 2023, they stood at Rs 70 crore. Ranchi led the state in alcohol sales, accounting for Rs 20 crore alone, with the highest single-day sale of Rs 7.50 crore recorded on March 13.

The growing liquor consumption has also boosted state revenue. Officials have set a revenue target of Rs 2,700 crore for the financial year 2024-25 and nearly Rs 2,600 crore has already been collected.

A senior official from the department commented, “The increasing revenue is beneficial for the state, but we also need to focus on responsible drinking and ensuring public safety during festive occasions.”