Beer worth ₹20 crore expires amid shortage in MP:Excise dept releases seized stock; 1 lakh cases sold every day through online permits

There is a shortage of beer in the state, but liquor shops are getting fresh stock within minutes. The Excise Department has started selling the seized beer stock of Som Company in the market. Around 1 lakh beer cases are being released every day through online permits, and the entire stock gets booked within 5 to 6 minutes. The department currently has nearly 4 lakh beer cases in storage. Officials say much of this stock is close to expiry, so it is being cleared quickly. At the same time, the department is planning to increase the beer expiry period from 6 months to 9 months. A meeting has already been held between department officials on this proposal, and the draft has been sent to the government. After review, it will be placed before the group of ministers. The new rule will be implemented after final approval. Expiry of 9 to 12 months in states like Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra
According to excise department officials, the expiry period for beer is set at 9 to 12 months in several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. The department believes that extending the period will allow premium brands from other states to enter the Madhya Pradesh market. This is expected to increase investment, reduce the monopoly of local companies, and improve supply. Big question: Is the policy being changed to clear expired beer? Factory sealed in February, beer kept there for 3 months
Beer from the closed Som factory is being sold in shops. Out of 11.66 lakh crates kept in the sealed unit, 7.28 lakh are being released into the market. The government claims this will reduce beer shortage. While 4.38 lakh crates worth 20 crore have already expired. The factory was sealed on February 4, so the beer is now 3 months and 20 days old. This means the remaining beer is also very close to its expiry date. The commissioner said – The system will apply only to new bottling
Beer shortage is being faced across Madhya Pradesh. Compared to last year, there has been a 14 percent decrease in supply this year. Production has decreased due to one factory being sealed. This is being compensated for. The proposal to extend the expiry date of beer is old. The decision to extend it or not will be taken at the government level.-Deepak Saxena, Commissioner, Excise Department Daily demand for 2 lakh crates in the state, production is only 1 lakh These days, the demand for more than 2 lakh beer crates daily in the state, while four companies together are able to produce only about 1 lakh crates. There are five beer factories in Madhya Pradesh, one of which is shut down. Indore’s Mount Beer factory produces 60 thousand crates daily, Maksi’s Regent factory 30 thousand crates, Indore’s MP Beer 6 thousand crates, and Chhatarpur unit produces about 3 thousand crates of beer. Some companies used to produce more than 40 thousand crates of beer daily, but it is currently shut down. A proposal has come from the department to extend the expiry date. This is currently under consideration. A decision will be made on this after seeing what the expiry date is in other states. -Jagdish Devda, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister