Congress burns copies of Excise Policy

Dehradun, May 16 (UNI) Uttarakhand Congress Committee described the Excise Policy of BJP Government in the state as a ''Liquor Mafia Policy'' and held demonstrations in different parts of the state.

Copies of the policy were also burnt by demonstrating Congressmen.

In this district, Congress members under the leadership of its City Chief, Lal Chand Sharma and Legislator Pritam Singh gathered at the Congress Bhavan. They headed towards Clock Tower sloganeering against Khanduri led BJP Government and burnt the coies of the 'Liquor Policy' there. MLA Pritam Singh said that the BJP government has become an asylum of 'liquor mafias'. He maintained that the new 'Excise Policy' was against local people who deal in the liquor business and would convert them into mere puppets in the hands of powerful liquor syndicates and mafias. He said that it would help outsiders more than local people. At the same time he was critical of the increase in application fee from Rs. 200 to Rs. 7500.

Sharma took a dig at the government for taking away the business from Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, Garhwal Nigam Vikas Nigam and Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Uddham Limited and giving away to liquor distilleries. He was of the view that the government has betrayed its ex-soldiers and the policy was not in favour of the state while being pro-industrialists. On behalf of the Congress Party, Sharma demanded the withdrawl of the new 'Excise Policy'.

Similar reports of protests by the Congressmen came from different parts of the state, where demonstrations and dharnas were organised at district collectrates to condemn the 'Liquor Poicy' of the BJP led govenment in the state.

UNI