Congress MLA's grill UPA govt in J'khand

Ranchi, Mar 15 (UNI) The UPA-backed Madhu Koda government's major ally Congress today demanded an inquiry into the new excise policy in the Jharkhand Assembly, saying it was incurring a huge loss to the state.

Raising the issue through a call attention, MLA Pradeep Balmuchu alleged that the government incurred a loss of Rs 53 crores in last three years due to new excise policy and demanded an inquiry into the matter by the House's Committee .

In reply, Excise Minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh claimed that the new policy had benefitted the government adding that he was ready for the inquiry.

Mr Singh said the state had earned low revenues by the settlements of foreign and contry-made liquor shops in 2001-02 and 2003-04 and achieved a target of 50.99 per cent and 37.34 per cent respectively He claimed that the annual revenue also increased after the implementation of the new policy in 2004.

The Minister mentioned that Rs 94.50 crores were earned as revenue in 2003-04, Rs 152.47 crore in 2004-05, Rs 159 crores in 2005-06 and Rs 92.53 crores till January this fiscal.

Challenging the Minister's reply, Mr Balmuchu said the revenue details given by the Minister also included the security deposits.

Mr Balmuchu also demanded to reinstate the old policy as it would help generate employment opportunity.

Another Congress member Manoj Yadav said the shops were not being allotted among the unemployed due to nexus of department officials and the 'wine' syndicate.

He said Chattisgarh and West Bengal have earned Rs 1000 crores revenue, whereas, the Jharkhand government was satisfied with only Rs 193 crores.

Intervening in the matter, Speaker Alamgir Alam said Mr Singh had assured to give more details on the matter on March 19, adding a inquiry would be held by the House Committee if the members still remained dissatisfied.

UNI