The new excise policy in Punjab will be implemented from July 1 and will remain in force till March 31 next . This means that the new excise policy is going to be effective for the next nine monthsyear. After this, the government will review the excise policy next year.
The new government has given a big gift to the liquor lovers living in Punjab within a few months. The Aam Aadmi Party government (AAP Govt) led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has approved the New Excise Policy in the state. As soon as the new policy is implemented, the prices of liquor in Punjab will be reduced by 40 percent. At the same time, the government expects that it can get a revenue of Rs 9,647.85 crore from the new policy.
Punjab will earn so much from liquor
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mann, an important meeting of the cabinet was held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. The new excise policy was approved in the cabinet meeting. After the meeting, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the new policy has focused on checking the smuggling of liquor from neighboring states by intensive monitoring and using modern techniques. The new policy has set a target of raising revenue of Rs 9,647.85 crore during 2022-23.
New policy will be implemented from next month
The spokesperson said that the new excise policy will come into effect from July 1 and will remain in force till March 31 next year. This means that the new excise policy is going to be effective for the next nine months. After this, the government will review the excise policy next year. Usually every state implements the new excise policy from April 1. Assembly elections were being held in Punjab this year, due to which the amendment in the excise policy was delayed.
Focus on stopping liquor smuggling
Apart from this, the cabinet of Mann Sarkar also approved the allocation of two special battalions of police to the Excise Department. These two battalions will be in addition to the already available forces. This has been done to prevent violation of excise rules. This will also help Punjab in curbing the smuggling of liquor from neighboring states. The spokesman said that the aim of the new policy is to rein in the mafia involved in the business of liquor.
There will be so many liquor shops in the state
After the new policy, there will be no connection between liquor makers, wholesalers and retailers. In this, a target has been set to isolate all the stakeholders from each other. Along with this, the new policy also aims to allot tenders for liquor trade to 177 groups through a transparent e-tendering process. Now the number of liquor shops in Punjab will be 6,378.
Now there will be so much duty on liquor
Except for liquor made in Punjab, all other categories of liquor will now attract excise duty equal to 01 percent of the wholesale price. Similarly, liquor made in India will also attract tax equal to one percent of the cost. Now the prices of liquor in the state will be at par with the neighboring states. The government has also made up its mind to license new distilleries and breweries to increase investment and employment in the state. The license to manufacture malt spirits is also being implemented in the state.
