Election Commission allows Punjab govt to do auction of liquor vends; now auction process starts
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ March 28,2024
The election commission has allowed the Punjab government to conduct auction of liquor vends in Punjab for 2024-25, before the expiry of the fiscal year as due to the imposition of the model code of conduct for the polls, the auction can take place only after permission from the electoral office.
As per available information, the state excise department will hold draw of lots on March 28,2024 from 12:00 noon onwards . Three zones namely-Patiala, Jalandhar and Ferozepur will hold the auctions simultaneously at various places in the state.
If, any of the vends is not auctioned than an advertisement of unallotted groups will be done through DNIT (e-tender) on March 29,2024. Tenders will be received with both technical bid and financial bid upto 1:00 pm on April 1,2024. On the same day, at 3:00 pm the technical bids will be opened and at 5:00 pm the financial bid will be opened and allotment of tender to the successful bidder.
Earlier, the excise and taxation department, Punjab, has sought permission of the chief electoral office, Punjab, to conduct a draw of lots for the sale of liquor vends which is scheduled for March 22.
After the clearance from the election commission, Punjab excise department has initiated the process to do auction of 6,400 vends in the state which has been divided into 236 groups.
As per reports, the number of groups for the upcoming year has been increased by 67. The expected revenue in the upcoming year has been targeted at Rs 10,145 crore, a rise of 6.5 percent from the current year’s target of Rs 9,500 crore.
Election Commission allows Punjab govt to do auction of liquor vends; now auction process to start. Punjab government has already passed the excise policy for the upcoming year 2024-25 and the auction was awaited. After the auction the new vends would be operational from April 1.
