PRAYAGRAJ, Feb. 27 -- The excise department has completed the renewal process for liquor, beer, model shops and bhang stores in Prayagraj district for the upcoming financial year. Of the 1,039 licensed shops, 970 have renewed their licences, while 69 shop owners opted out, citing financial losses, district officials said. Among the shops that were not renewed, seven are model shops located on key urban stretches, including Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Louder Road, Stanley Road, Preetmangar Kanhaiyapur, Kalyani Devi, Preetm Nagar and Khan Chauraha on Mahewa Road. These shops will remain closed for now. Officials said the losses may be linked to the opening of composite liquor shops this financial year, which sell both English liquor and beer, affecting the profitability of model shops. Following the completion of the renewal process, the excise department has reopened its online portal. Licensees must pay half of their licence fee and renewal charges by March 5 in the first phase. The second phase, for payment of the remaining amount, will run from March 21 to 25. For the 69 shops that did not renew, licences will be reassigned through a lottery system. In some areas, shops may be split into two smaller units to lower licence fees and attract new applicants, officials said. "The renewal process is complete. Out of 1,039 shops, 970 have renewed their licences. The remaining shops will now go through a lottery. Licensees who have completed renewal are advised to pay their licence and renewal fees immediately," said Sushil Kumar Mishra, district excise officer....