Chandigarh admn seals eight liquor vends; only one of 11 sold in auction

According to officials, two sealed vends are located in Chandigarh’s Sector 9, besides one each in Sector 32-D, Sector 40, Sector 45, Manimajra, Daria and Mauli Jagran

The UT excise and taxation department sealed eight liquor vends over non-payment of licence fee on Monday.

The Chandigarh Wine Contractors Association has alleged cartelisation in vend allotments as many licences were secured by just two or three individuals operating through multiple firms, relatives or associates. (HT Photo)

According to officials, two sealed vends are located in Sector 9, besides one each in Sector 32-D, Sector 40, Sector 45, Manimajra, Daria and Mauli Jagran.

The total annual licence fee for these eight vends was ₹67.64 crore. The total amount due was ₹5.41 crore. With only ₹ 2.71 crore being paid, ₹2.70 crore had remained unpaid in April. According to officials, after sealing, the licensees shall have to pay the balance dues, along with applicable interest at 1.5% per month calculated on a daily basis, to get their licences operational.

Earlier, the department had sealed 48 of the 96 liquor vends that were allotted for the 2025-26 financial year as the successful bidders had failed to deposit mandatory bank guarantees of nearly ₹40 crore.

The Chandigarh Wine Contractors Association has alleged cartelisation in vend allotments as many licences were secured by just two or three individuals operating through multiple firms, relatives or associates.