Revival Of Old Liquor Policy

Shakeel Qureshi

The state government is likely to restart the old policy for liquor business in Himachal Pradesh. And for that government will not wait for the next fiscal year, but preparations are on to implement it with immediate effect. According to highly placed sources, the state Excise and Taxation Department has framed and sent a proposal in this regard to the government. The decision on this proposal could be taken in the Cabinet meeting to be held on February 3, 2018. With that the existence of beverage corporation limited in the liquor business will cease in the state and L-1 and L-13 liquor licenses will begin again. Under this system, wholesale system will be started again. Earlier too such system was in place where in liquor vendors themselves used to purchase liquor and sell it at maximum retail price (MRP). The Congress government had last year ended the old policy and involved middlemen in the business.

According to sources, middlemen used to get Rs. 45 per box as commission and hence earned money worth crores in this business. The State Excise and Taxation department has begun investigation in this regard and detailed information from beverage corporation limited officials has been sought. The departmental officials are finding every detail of the case, the report of which will be handed over to government later. The report will mention about the details of commission which middlemen got in the liquor business and how this commission business flourished.

The investigation is also going on in case of liquor sold on credit. At the same time, Excise and Taxation Department has also begun the exercise to restart wholesale system in liquor business. As per proposal sent to the Cabinet, the liquor contractor will purchase liquor on wholesale rates and then sell at maximum retail price. For now liquor is sold at minimum sale price, which is costing dear for consumers.

Government To Review Excise Policy

The investigation by Excise and Taxation department will also reveal whether repealing old liquor policy benefited state exchequer or it helped selected few to mint money. What was the target set by the government and how much of it was achieved will also be revealed in the investigation. In total, government will review the excise policy in the Cabinet meeting.

 

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