AAP Govt In Punjab Approves New Excise Policy, Liquor Rates To Go Down

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lead AAP government in Punjab has approved a new excise policy on June 8, 2022, under which, rates of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and beer will come down.

A decision on the new policy was taken by the Cabinet at its meeting presided over by the CM.

With the new policy coming into effect, the government is expecting to generate revenue worth Rs 9,647.85 crore, a 40 per cent rise over the last fiscal, and make liquor cheaper by making it on a par with the neighbouring states. The excise policy will be applicable for a period of nine months from July 1, 2022.

The plan is to allot 177 groups with the provision of 6,378 vends under the new policy. The excise duty on all kinds of liquor, except medium liquor, will be charged at the rate of one per cent of the wholesale price.

Similarly, the assessed fee for Indian-made foreign liquor shall also be charged at the rate of one per cent of the wholesale price. The prices of liquor shall now be almost on a par with neighbouring states, an official statement said.

However, liquor contractors have lodged a protest against the changes. Ratanjot Dua, a liquor contractor from Jalandhar, said by increasing the size of groups, the small liquor contractors would be wiped off from the trade as only big contractors would have the capital to invest in the groups.

The Cabinet also gave nod for allotting two special battalions of police to the Excise Department, in addition to already existing force, for keeping an effective vigil over the pilferage. This will also help in keeping a better check over the supply of illicit liquor into Punjab from the neighbouring states.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Office said the policy strives to keep a stringent check over the smuggling of liquor from the neighbouring states through extensive enforcement and by incorporating new technological measures.

Last week, an organised module of liquor smugglers was busted by the excise department and district police in Patiala. Four members of the gang were arrested with fake liquor, which includes 4 cases

of Chivas Regal, 4 cases of Glenlivet and 2 cases of Gold label reserve. Later, the team raided the rented residence of two gang members in

Madanpur, Mohali and recovered 2 cases of High Speed (for sale in Chandigarh), 2 cases of King Gold (for sale in Chandigarh), 1 case of U.K. no. 1 (for sale in Chandigarh), 150 empty bottles of U.K. no. (for sale in Chandigarh), 21 empty bottles of High Speed whisky, 3 empty bottles of Singleton whisky, 5 empty bottles of Black label Johnnie Walker, 14 empty bottles of Blue Label, 5 cartons of Glenlivet, 2 cartons of Black dog gold, 1 carton of Glenfiddich 15 years and Caps of Glenlivet, Glenfiddich & Black label brands.

The AAP government in Punjab is currently facing backlash over reducing police security for the singer turned politician Sidhu Moose Wala, who was shot dead on May 29, 2022, a day after the reduction in security was announced.

Parvasi Media Group