The West Bengal Assembly has passed the West Bengal Finance Bill 2025, introducing significant amendments to the Bengal Excise Act, 1909. A key change in the bill lifts the prohibition on women working in ON-category liquor shops, a provision previously considered discriminatory.
Presented by Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya, the bill modernizes excise regulations, aligns them with updated legal codes, and strengthens measures against illicit liquor production. Other amendments include stricter molasses regulations, penalties on excess spirit wastage, and revised licensing provisions for liquor establishments.
Additionally, the bill formalizes changes in the excise administration, introduces statutory procedures for confiscation, and updates official designations. These reforms aim to enhance regulatory efficiency and boost state revenue.
