In a surprise development, 370 out of 1,046 liquor shops in Lucknow have been allotted to women entrepreneurs in the new fiscal year starting from April 1. This marks a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated industry, with women now taking over more than one-third of the businesses.
The overall participation of women in the alcohol trade has increased by 7 per cent compared to the previous year in Lucknow, signaling a growing trend of women entering this sector. Despite no special incentives or relaxations being offered to women, their increasing presence indicates a shift in societal norms.
Rakesh Singh, District Excise Officer of Lucknow, highlighted that nearly 35 per cent of the total licenses issued for the next financial year have been obtained by women entrepreneurs. The rise in female applicants over the past three years signifies a proportional increase in their participation in the alcohol trade.
Among the women entrepreneurs, there has been a strong interest in acquiring IMFL liquor shops, which deal with a variety of spirits like whisky, vodka, rum, gin, and wine, followed by beer shops. The ease of managing retail stores with the help of technology tools such as CCTV cameras and sound systems has made the liquor business more transparent and efficient over the years.
Only five country-made liquor shops and two model shops out of the total 1,046 in Lucknow are left to be taken, as the remaining 1,039 have already been allocated. Singh mentioned that the remaining shops will also be put up for auction soon, continuing the trend of increasing female participation in the alcohol trade.
