The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a major change to its excise policy by allowing liquor shops to remain open on Holi, Muharram, and Gandhi Nirvana Day, reducing the number of officially observed dry days in the state. The decision marks a shift from earlier regulations under which alcohol sales were prohibited on these occasions, traditionally treated as full dry days out of religious, cultural, and national sensitivity. The move has sparked a wider political and social debate across the state.
Officials in Raipur said the revised policy was designed to address practical and regulatory challenges that frequently arise during festival periods. According to the government, the change seeks to balance administrative realities with evolving social patterns, noting that strict closures often led to enforcement difficulties and unintended consequences during high-demand periods.
Under the updated guidelines, restrictions have been lifted specifically for the three occasions, while dry day status will continue to apply on certain other dates. Government representatives argued that allowing licensed outlets to operate during major festivals could significantly increase state revenue, as alcohol consumption typically rises during celebratory periods. Authorities also maintained that keeping authorised shops open would help curb illegal liquor sales and black-market activity, which often expand when licensed vendors are forced to shut.
State minister Guru Khushwant Saheb defended the policy shift, stating that reducing dry days from seven to three reflects changing social and economic circumstances. He emphasised that the government is attempting to modernise regulatory practices while continuing parallel efforts to address substance abuse through awareness campaigns, public outreach programmes, and anti-addiction initiatives conducted across the state.
Despite these explanations, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and several social organisations. Gandhi-inspired groups have strongly objected to permitting liquor sales on Gandhi Nirvana Day, arguing that it contradicts Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of restraint and opposition to alcohol consumption. Critics have accused the government of prioritising revenue generation over ethical and social considerations, particularly on dates associated with national remembrance.
The policy change has triggered broader public debate, with supporters describing it as a pragmatic step to regulate alcohol demand and reduce illicit trade, while detractors warn that easing restrictions on symbolic occasions could weaken social messaging against alcohol use. With dry days reduced from seven to three, the revised excise framework has become a focal point of political discussion, reflecting ongoing tensions between fiscal policy, cultural sensitivities, and public health concerns in Chhattisgarh.
