West Bengal liquor retailers claim over Rs 300 crore was collected as unauthorized transportation charges between 2022 and 2025. They allege the state's distributor-depot system, meant to streamline supply, is being exploited, and are demanding an Excise Department probe.
The allegations suggest potential corruption and exploitation within West Bengal's liquor distribution system, impacting retailers and potentially diverting funds from state revenue. An investigation could lead to policy changes and greater transparency in the sector.
Retail liquor traders in West Bengal have alleged that approximately Rs 300 crore was collected from them between 2022 and 2025 as unauthorized transportation charges. The retailers' body, the Society for the Welfare of West Bengal Foreign Liquor Licensees, claims these charges contradict the state's distributor-depot supply system, which mandates that distributors bear the cost of supplying liquor to retailers.
According to the society's secretary, Bijon Kumar Patra, retailers were charged between Rs 10 and Rs 13 per case for beer supplies, despite the distributor-depot model. Similar concerns were raised regarding foreign and country liquor segments, where loading and unloading fees were allegedly levied. The retailers claim these charges were collected without proper documentation, often compelling them to pay to avoid supply disruptions.
The association has urged the Excise Department to investigate the matter, halt the alleged collections, and ensure transparency in the liquor distribution framework. They suggest that politically connected individuals may be benefiting from this system instead of government revenues.
The distributor-depot model was implemented by the West Bengal government in 2021 to streamline the liquor supply chain, replacing the prior arrangement under the West Bengal State Beverages Corporation Ltd. The corporation itself was established in 2017 to oversee wholesale liquor distribution with the stated aim of increasing transparency and regulatory control.