Big Change for 16 Liquor Shops in Bokaro: BSL Revises ₹11,672 Minimum Rent and Electricity Charge ₹7,240

Bokaro: The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) managment has revised the terms governing 16 liquor shops operating on its premises, significantly changing the minimum shop area, licence fee/rent and electricity charges. The revised provisions will come into effect from August 1, 2026.

The decision has been conveyed in a letter issued by the General Manager, Town & Administration, Bokaro Steel Plant, to the Excise Assistant Commissioner, Bokaro.

Excise Department’s request leads to expansion of shop area

The BSL letter states that the enhancement of the shop area to 800 sq. ft. for all 16 liquor shops was made following a request from the Excise Assistant Commissioner, Bokaro.

Earlier, since 2012, the standard size of a liquor shop was 14 ft × 20 ft, or 280 sq. ft. The licence fee at that time was ₹2,000 per month per shop, equivalent to ₹7.14 per sq. ft. per month. A fixed electricity charge of ₹2,500 per month was also applicable.

Under the revised arrangement, the minimum permissible area has been increased from 280 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft. for each liquor shop.

Minimum monthly rent now ₹11,672

Along with the expansion in area, BSL has revised the licence fee to ₹14.59 per sq. ft. per month.

For the newly prescribed minimum area of 800 sq. ft., this translates into a minimum monthly licence fee/rent of ₹11,672 per shop.

The letter cites cost inflation since 2013 as the basis for the revised licence fee.

Extra space will attract one-time charge

The revised arrangement also provides for liquor shops occupying more than 800 sq. ft.

In such cases, a one-time charge of ₹2.50 per sq. ft. will be levied on the area exceeding 800 sq. ft.

Once the one-time charge has been paid, the licensed area will comprise the basic 800 sq. ft. plus the additional area for which the charge has been imposed. Monthly rent will then be calculated on the entire occupied area at ₹14.59 per sq. ft. per month.

Electricity charge jumps to ₹7,240

BSL has also revised the electricity charges. Where an energy meter has not been installed, the electricity charge has been fixed at ₹7,240 per month per liquor shop.

The BSL letter further directs that energy meters must be installed in all liquor shops within one month.

Revised rates effective from August 1

The revised provisions, including the new licence fee/rent and electricity charges, will be applicable with effect from August 1, 2026.

The General Manager (Town & Administration), BSL, has requested the Excise Assistant Commissioner to communicate the decision to the concerned liquor shop licensees and ensure necessary compliance.

The latest move brings a substantial change to the long-standing arrangement under which liquor shops on BSL premises had been operating with a 280-sq.-ft. minimum area since 2012. The new framework raises that minimum to 800 sq. ft., while simultaneously revising the rent structure and electricity charges.