Opp stages walk out demanding amendment in Excise Policy

Dehradun, July 3 (UNI) The opposition in Uttarakhand today staged a noisy walkout from the House, demanding amendment in the BJP government's Excise Policy terming it pro-liquor mafia and anti-public .

Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat listing the shortcomings of the Excise Policy said the increase made in processing fee from Rs 200 to Rs 7500 would deprive the general public from applying for shops and help liquor mafias.

Mr Rawat said that under the new policy only 16,000 applications were received as compared to previous 1,84,000. He said that 91 per cent of the applicants had been out of bid. He also took a dig at the government's decision to limit the timings of liquor shops to 1100 hrs to 2000 hrs. He said earlier it was 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs which was later amended to till 2000 hrs.

He said that the odd timings would effect revenue as the purchasing of liquor begins in the late hours of the day. He added that owing to odd hours it was likely that tourists would bring liquor from their home state instead of buying it here.

Answering the questions, Excise Minister Madan Kaushik said the government was in a situation of generating more revenue than the set target. He disclosed that only through processing fees Rs 13.5 crore has been earned in comparison to 1.66 crores last time.

Rebuking allegation of Opposition that low quality brands were being supplied, Mr Kaushik said no compromise has been made in quality.

He revealed that nine hot liquor companies and six beer companies have approached the government.

However refusing to hear any explanations from the Excise Minister, the Congress members stuck to their demand of an amendment in the excise policy and staged a walk out from the House.

UNI