Bureau
Chandigarh- With an increase of almost two-fold in excise revenue in the last five years, Haryana’s Excise Policies have successfully achieved and strengthened the long term objectives of the Manohar Lal-led government in breaking the cartels, broad-basing the trade by facilitating the entry of new players of even modest means, establishing a transparent system of allotment of retail outlets, plugging the leakages.
Not only this, but the government is now aiming to cross a benchmark of Rs.10,000 crore with the successful implementation of the Excise Policy- 2022-23. Notably, in the last two years, 100 percent of the licence fee at which the retail vends were allotted has been recovered by the state government.
As envisioned by the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal and Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala every single penny of the state revenue earned from the excise revenue has been meticulously utilized for public welfare and developmental schemes.
Meanwhile, the New Excise Policy- 2023-24 which has been approved by the State Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today also features to generate resources that can be utilized to finance developmental projects.
Govt aims to collect Rs. 400 crore for Environment and Animal Welfare (Gau Seva)
Reiterating state government’s commitment towards protecting environment and animal welfare, the retail permit fee has been imposed in the new policy with a targeted collection of Rs. 400 crore. The said amount will be utilized for Environment and Animal Welfare.
With this, as an environmentally friendly measure, the new policy aims to discontinue the use of PET bottles in the bottling of liquor after February 29, 2024.
For ease of doing business, in the new policy, the labels of IFL (BIO) shall also be renewed at the district level. Also, in order to promote the MSME sector, the licence fees for small (craft) breweries have been reduced. The supervisory fee for wineries has been reduced to promote wineries in the State.
The limit of the maximum number of retail liquor vends in the State reduced
In the new Excise Policy, the limit of the maximum number of retail liquor vends in the State has been reduced successively from 2600 to 2500 in 2022-23 and from 2500 to 2400 in 2023- 24.
With this, taking another major decision in public welfare, it has been decided that liquor vends shall not be opened in holy areas notified around Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula and in villages in which Gurukuls are functioning.
In the current policy, the retail liquor vend zone size has also been decreased from four to two in a bid to allow more participants to apply for liquor shop licence through e-tender.
Increase in the basic quota of Country Liquor
In the new Policy, there has been an increase in the basic quota of Country Liquor, Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Imported Foreign Liquor (BIO). With this, there has also been a nominal increase in rates of excise duty on country liquor and IMFL. The increase aims to give a major push to the excise revenue.
In order to promote low alcohol content beverages, the excise duty on Ready to Drink Beverages and Beer under the mild and super mild categories has been slashed. Further, the licence fee for the Pub category (L-10E) i.e. for the consumption of Beer and Wine only, has been reduced further.
Penalty provisions have been made stringent
To curb pilferage of liquor by wholesale licensees, the penalty provisions have been made stringent and there will be a complete ban on liquor promotion advertisements on various platforms by the licensee, including on social media as well.
Caution boards to be installed outside bars, pubs
Caution boards would be displayed outside all hotels, pubs and bars, restaurants and café serving liquor under excise licence. Furthermore, to ensure the safety of staff and customers, it will be compulsory for all retail vends in urban areas, taverns and wholesale licensees to install fire-fighting equipment. The CCTV Cameras shall also be installed in all of the above shops/godowns.