The excise department for the first time is working to complete the allocation of liquor and beer shops for the next session (2019-20) till December this year. The reason behind this, firstly coming Lok Sabha elections and secondly delays in allocation of shops this year. Apart from this, the meetings have begun in Excise Department. Allotment of shops will be done through e-lottery only.
Bar’s license to renew without E-lottery
Bar license will be renewed without e-lottery. Only those wine, beer and bar licenses will be renewed without e-lottery, who have fulfilled the terms of renewal under the new excise policy. The licenses of those shops will be exempted from e-lottery who have recorded higher sales then the prescribed quota, for country liquor 6%, foreign liquor 40%, and for beer shops 30% sales above quota are the prescribed norms. According to officers 65 to 70% of the shopkeepers are fulfilling the norms.
Suggestions for improvement in policy
Since October, preparations for the allocation process of shops have started for the excise session 2019-20. Excise Commissioner Dhiraj Sahu held a meeting of the department officials, wholesale and retail licensees and distillery operators. During this, the problems faced by shopkeepers under new excise policy were discussed. The officers agreed that the new excise policy will be amended after studying difficulties. A memorandum was also given to the officials by the liquor association, in which they mentioned their problems.
Shops opening hours can increase
The association has demanded extension of time for wine shops in the state. At present, wine and beer shops in the state are open from 12 noon to 10 pm. It is likely that after revision it can be done from 11 AM to 11 PM. According to Excise officials, the quantity of country liquor could be increased by 15 percent in the revised policy for next year. The department is also considering some new rules.
courtesy: NBT