NOIDA — Under the leadership of District Excise Officer (DEO) Subodh Kumar, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Excise Department has maintained a dual focus through 2026: generating revenue through transparent e-lottery allocations, and enforcing compliance against overcharging and illegal liquor networks. The department work has been carried out within the policy framework set by Uttar Pradesh Excise Minister Nitin Agarwal, whose statewide reforms have prioritised digital tracking, dismantling monopolies, and tightening supply-chain oversight.
State Policy Backdrop: Revenue Growth and Digital Reform
Uttar Pradesh recorded excise revenue of ₹57,722 crore in FY2025-26, up 9.79% from ₹52,573 crore the previous year, and nearly triple the roughly ₹17,000 crore collected in FY2016-17 . For FY2026-27, the state has set a target of approximately ₹65,000–68,000 crore, with emphasis shifting from quota expansion to efficiency and compliance .
Minister Nitin Agarwal has attributed this growth to plugging systemic leakages and ending monopoly-like structures in liquor retail. “We dismantled that model and created a more transparent and competitive environment where more participants could enter the market,” he said . Technology has been central: QR-code tracking, GPS-enabled transport monitoring, and the Integrated Excise Supply Chain Management System (IESCMS) now allow the department to digitally track a bottle from distillery to retail outlet . Agarwal has also acknowledged that major markets like Lucknow, Bulandshahr, and Moradabad are approaching saturation, making compliance and governance the next frontier .
Revenue: E-Lottery Allocation and Transparent Process
The district’s revenue operations have been driven by the e-lottery system for retail shop allotments. In April 2026, e-lottery was conducted for 30 shops (24 country liquor, 4 model shops, 2 composite shops). The department received 4,047 applications—the highest in Uttar Pradesh for that phase—and generated approximately ₹28 crore in revenue . DEO Subodh Kumar confirmed the figures, noting that 3,535 applications were for the 24 country liquor shops alone, reflecting intense competition .
The entire process was conducted under the district-level selection committee and live-streamed via LED screens to ensure transparency. “Every applicant had an equal opportunity under the policy framework,” Kumar said .
Enforcement: Overcharging Compliance and Illegal Liquor Networks
The department’s enforcement wing has been active on multiple fronts, with several significant seizures through 2026.
March 2026 — Luharli Toll Plaza seizure. A joint team of Noida and Meerut excise officials stopped a truck near Luharli toll plaza on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. 570 boxes of Punjab-marked liquor worth approximately ₹50 lakh were found hidden behind thermocol bags. The driver fled the scene. Brands recovered included Royal Stag, Royal Challenge, Sterling Reserve, McDowell’s No.1, Thunderbolt beer, and Kingfisher beer .
April 2026 — Sharda Roundabout seizure. The excise department and Greater Noida police intercepted a truck near Sharda roundabout carrying 237 boxes of Haryana-marked liquor worth approximately ₹35 lakh. The driver, a resident of Barmer, Rajasthan, was arrested. Investigation revealed the liquor was being transported to Manipur via Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, using a fake auto parts bill to mislead transport and GST officials. DEO Subodh Kumar confirmed the seizure, and a case was registered at Knowledge Park police station.
May 2026 — 15-day special drive. In a coordinated campaign across the Greater Noida zone, police and excise teams arrested 17 smugglers, seized 2,387 litres of illegal liquor, and registered 17 cases. Additionally, 180 individuals were actioned for public drinking under BNS Section 292 and BNSS Section 170 .
July 2026 — Illegal home delivery racket. The excise department and Sector 113 police busted a phone-order home delivery operation running from a rented flat in Sarfabad, Sector 73. 27 bottles of premium imported foreign liquor without Uttar Pradesh excise QR codes were recovered, indicating the stock had been brought in from Haryana. One accused was arrested while making a delivery; a scooter and two mobile phones were seized. DEO Subodh Kumar stated: “The bottles did not carry Uttar Pradesh QR codes, indicating illegal movement of liquor into the state. Efforts are underway to trace the absconding kingpin” .
