Punjab government sought suggestions for framing state Excise Policy
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
With the Excise Policy for 2022-23 set to come into force from July 1, the Punjab government has sought suggestions from various stakeholders, including general public within 15 days. Punjab, with high consumption of liquor, was not able to generate enough funds for the exchequer.
A notice issued on behalf of Rajat Aggarwal, IAS, Excise Commissioner, Punjab, stated that “the process of finalisation of the Excise Policy for year 2022-23 91-7-2022 to 31-3-2023) in respect of the State of Punjab. Therefore, feedback, views and suggestions are solicited from all the stake holders including the general pulic to enrich the process of formulation pf the Excise Policy 2022-23 (1-7-2022 to 31-3-2023). The interested persons may send their views/ suggestions in writing to Navdeep Bhinder, Additional Commissioner (Excise) Bhupindra, Road, Patiala by post or at her email [email protected] before 15-4-2022, or if so desired, may also personally meet the Additional Commissioner (Excise),Punjab (Mobile number 9875961101) to present their views” has been issued.
As per sources, the department said before finalising the Excise Policy for 2022-23, policies of other states were also being studied. They said the department would discuss the suggestions and try to incorporate them in the new policy, whichever is favourable for the State of Punjab.
Punjab government sought suggestions for framing state Excise Policy. As per an officer of this revenue generation department on the condition of anonymity said that “ the new government is considering to generate optimum revenue and ensure ease of doing business while eliminating cartelization, proxy players and monopoly.”
The excise policy fixes the price and sale targets for Punjab medium liquor (PML) and Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL), besides deciding on the number of vends in the state. It also fixes manufacturing targets for distilleries in the state besides number of licences to hotels, restaurants and bars for sale of liquor.
The Punjab cabinet approved the excise policy for the first three months of financial year 2022-23, starting from April 1, on March 31. The policy has been allowed renewal for a period of three months to those existing licensees who will give 1.75% excess revenue over minimum guaranteed revenue (MGR) of financial year 2021-22 for their respective groups and zones in order to maintain stability in the liquor trade, a spokesperson from the chief minister’s office said.
An elaborate excise policy will be announced in June to be effective from July 1. It will reflect the policy of the recently-elected AAP government.
April 2,2022
