UP govt to introduce new excise policy after facing Rs 5000 crore loss

Liqour ban

BY - Franchise India Team
Editor Jul 05, 2017/

177

/ 3 MIN READ.

UP govt to introduce new excise policy after facing Rs 5000 crore loss

The Uttar Pradesh government has suffered a loss of about Rs 5000 crore following the Supreme Court order banning all liquor shops along national as well as state highways.

UP excise minister Jai Pratap Singh, said, "Of the 8591 highway liquor shops affected by the Supreme Court order, 2000 are yet to be relocated while 3000 shop owners have surrendered their liquor licences."

The minister said, "We have incurred a loss of about Rs 5000 crore in 2016-17 fiscal ending March 31. Out of the target of realising Rs 19000 crore, the excise department could generate Rs 14000 crore following the apex court order order."

The Supreme court in its December 15, 2016 order had banned the liquor shops within 500 metres on the either side of the national and state highways.

He said, "We are introducing a cashless system in liquor shops and asking them to install point-of-sale (POS) machines. Though it will difficult in rural areas, we are asking shops to switch over to cashless payments."

He added, "We have decided that no liquor shop will be relocated within 500 metre of religious places or hospitals. In case of objection, even residential colonies will come under the ambit. At the moment it is not in a very formal shape. But we are working on it."

The minister said that Yogi Adityanath government will introduce its new excise policy from April 2018 and the government plans to break the syndicate system in liquor trade.

He said, "We are working on the new excise policy before finalising it."

The new excise policy may introduce a system of bar code on each bottle in a bid to check black marketing and pilferage in liquor sale, mostly in country-made alcohol products.

According to an excise official, the bar code would be connected to computer data to ensure each batch is sold by the rightful dealer.

Liqour

Liquor shops start shifting from highway zones

BY - Franchise India Team
Editor Aug 23, 2017 / 2 MIN READ

Liquor shops start shifting from highway zones

After the centre refused to de-notify, the liquor shops and bars falling on some of the state highways, the liquor outlets have started shifting outside the 500 m range. This follows after 30 per cent of the notified shops 30% have already shifted outside the 500-metre perimeter of national highways or excluded from the ban after the state government de-notified several state highways. Now, another 30% are in the process of shifting after getting approval from the district deputy commissioners, said Rajendra Prasad, joint commissioner of excise. “Many of these outlets had either stopped selling liquor or had shut down following the Supreme Court order in April,“ he added. Another excise department official said: “Applicants planning to shift outside the 500-meter radius have now lost hope of any change in the rules or de-notification. They have, therefore, decided to shift so that they can resume liquor business.” “These establishments will have to apply to the deputy commissioner concerned before shifting. Once they get permission, they can immediately shift.There's no question of any re newal of licences,“ Prasad said.Govindaraj Hegde, secretary of Karnataka Wine Merchants Association, said only about 15% of them have managed to shift to new premises so far. About 150 bars and restaurants in Bengaluru and 500 in other parts of the state have been facing a huge loss due to the ban.

Liquor Policy

Kerala hotels with 3 stars or above can now sell liquor

BY - Franchise India Team
Editor Jun 09, 2017 / 2 MIN READ

Kerala hotels with 3 stars or above can now sell liquor

The Kerala Government has announced a new liquor policy for the state. The state government has decided to reverse the restricted liquor policy of the previous government and allow the re-opening of bars. As per the new policy, the government will allow the bars to function in hotels with three-star status and above. The 5-star hotels are already allowed to open bars. Hotels below 3-star category will be allowed to run beer and wine parlours.

The bars will remain open from 11 am to 11pm. Bars will be allowed to remain open from 10 am to 11pm in tourism centres. Both international and domestic terminals of the airports will be allowed to sell liquor. The permissible age limit for consuming liquor has been increased from 21 to 23.

The new liquor policy will protect the interests of the traditional liquor, toddy. Bars, including the 5-star ones, will be allowed to sell toddy. Toddy Board will be constituted to protect the interests of the industry.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, said, "The UDF policy of restricted liquor policy was a failure. It has led to an increase in the demand for drugs. The Supreme Court order on closure of bars and liquor stores on the highways will be implemented."

Also Worth Reading