In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in women’s participation in the liquor industry in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has taken steps to promote women’s entrepreneurship and increase their representation in various sectors, including the liquor business. As of April 1st, 2023, women will control 25% of the retail liquor business in the state, which is a significant milestone.
According to data maintained by the excise department headquarters in Prayagraj, out of the total 28,930 retail liquor shops that have been floated by the department for the 2023-24 fiscal year across the state, 7,216 have been bagged by women. This marks the highest level of female participation in the industry so far. The highest participation rates have been observed in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kanpur districts. The increasing participation of women in the liquor business is a positive step towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
A senior excise department officer, said,“Onwards 2019-2020, we have been observing steady growth in the number of women retailers. The onus of running the shops in a free and fair manner lies on the owner and in case anomalies are detected, the woman licensee is going to be held responsible.”
In addition to women, the liquor industry has also seen the entry of transgenders for the first time in Firozabad district. One transgender applicant has secured two retail liquor shops – one beer shop and one liquor shop. This is a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and diversity in the industry.
Industry experts attribute the rise of women’s participation in the liquor business to the changes in business rules that were implemented in 2018. The rules were changed to minimize the influence of local strongmen on the industry and encourage new entrants with no prior experience. The most significant change was the condition that restricted an individual to owning only two shops in a district, which opened up opportunities for new players. This move is credited with breaking the monopoly and cartels that previously dominated the liquor business in the state for over a decade.
To further tighten the rules, the UP government stated in the following year that an individual would be allowed to own only two retail liquor shops in the entire state. This measure was aimed at preventing some individuals from owning dozens of liquor shops by participating in online lotteries held in various districts. The government’s efforts to regulate the industry and promote gender diversity are commendable and are likely to have a positive impact on the industry in the long run.
