In 2024, Jalgaon district recorded the sale of 1.03 crore litres of domestic liquor, 71.67 lakh litres of foreign liquor and 65.86 lakh litres of beer, according to Jalgaon State Excise Department Superintendent VT Bhukan.
The data reflects a 9% increase in domestic liquor sales compared to 2023 when 94.90 lakh litres were sold. Notably, sales dipped by 19% in October, 12% in November, and 15% in December. Sales of foreign liquor rose by 12% annually, with a total of 71.67 lakh litres sold, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.52 lakh litres. Beer sales also saw a 9% rise, with 65.86 lakh litres sold, of which 58.20 lakh litres were strong beer. September recorded a sharp 56% spike in beer sales, with November and December seeing a 17% increase.
The department also intensified its crackdown on illicit liquor in 2024, registering 2,138 cases and seizing 8.63 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs5.30 crore. "A special focus was given to permanently shutting down illegal liquor operations in 28 villages," Bhukan told The Free Press Journal.
