Uttarakhand to have new excise policy next month

The Uttarakhand government will introduce a new excise policy from next month, which, it hopes, will increase its revenue.

For this, the government plans to invite fresh applications for the allotment of its liquor shops and make certain amendments in the excise policy.

For the time being, the government has extended the present policy, which was to lapse on March 31, for another month. The government plans to tread cautiously this time because last year, there was a legal wrangle regarding the policy.

Officials said the government would also make necessary amendments in the new excise policy so that there would be no controversy.

The process of allotment of liquor shops in Uttarakhand came to an abrupt halt early this week amid reports that the government wanted to make certain amendments in the new policy.

Though details were not still known, the officials said the new policy would be a pragmatic one which would increase the government's earnings.

There are nearly 550 liquor shops in Uttarakhand. Through the sale of liquor from these shops, the government earns revenue to the tune of Rs 300 crore. The target for the next financial year is Rs 350 crore.

Last year, the government had hiked the licence fees for all its liquor shops by 15 per cent and decided to allow beer bars to remain open till 11 pm.

Since the allotment of liquor shops has been delayed, the official said the target for the next financial year may not be achievable.