Gujarat government's decision to permit liquor at GIFT City in Gandhinagar seems to have benefitted the state.  To promote investment and tourism, the dry state had lifted prohibition and allowed liquor consumption in GIFT City last year. In the past one year, residents of Gujarat consumed a total of 24,000 litres of liquor in GIFT City, earning the state exchequer over ₹94 lakh in revenue.

On December 30, 2023, the government granted permission to consume alcohol in GIFT City. Under the ‘Wine and Dine’ facility, employees working in GIFT City and visitors were allowed to consume alcohol. 

The state government's reasoning: GIFT City is being developed as a global business hub, so permitting alcohol consumption is necessary to attract foreign companies and investors.

Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Amit Chavda had raised a question regarding the amount of foreign liquor and beer sold in GIFT City over the past year. In response, the government revealed that licenses for alcohol sales in GIFT City had been granted to Western India Recreation Project Pvt Ltd and The Grand Mercure.

The government has benefited from alcohol sales in GIFT City, which has generated a revenue of ₹94.19 lakh. As much as 19,915 litres of beer and 3,324 litres of foreign liquor, totalling 23,907 litres of alcohol was sold in the past year.

Looking at the revenue generated from the ‘Wine and Dine’ facility at GIFT City, discussions regarding starting such facility at other locations, including Surat’s Diamond Bourse, the Statue of Unity, and other tourist destinations, might weigh on the authorities' minds.

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