Tribune News Service
Ruchika M Khanna
Chandigarh, May 12
The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department will get a giant share from the enterprise of liquor sale from two home airports at Mohali and Amritsar. The licence fee for working liquor retailers (obligation paid) has been elevated sharply from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 6 crore in Mohali and to Rs 4 crore in Amritsar.
Having unearthed a enterprise mannequin that allowed middlemen and the licensees to make an enormous revenue by liquor sale, the division has selected enhancing the licence fee. According to data, sure individuals would purchase overseas liquor from these retailers at cheaper charges earlier than taking a home flight to both states beneath prohibition or states the place excise duties on these manufacturers had been very excessive.
“For instance, a bottle of a well-liked overseas liquor is accessible at the Chandigarh Airport for Rs 2,200, however it’s out there in Mumbai for Rs 6,000. Another high-end overseas liquor is accessible right here at Rs 4,300, however the identical model is accessible at Rs 9,500 in Chennai. This is due to the large distinction in excise duties. A passenger is allowed to carry 4 bottles of liquor, purchased from the store at the home airport whereas flying out. The division discovered that some individuals had been flying incessantly to these locations, after shopping for liquor and returning the identical day, allegedly after handing over cheaper liquor from right here and promoting it at a premium in different states,” stated a senior official in Punjab Excise Department, including that crores had been being earned this fashion by making a small expenditure on shopping for of return air tickets.
“The sale of liquor is kind of good, based mostly on which we’ve determined to improve the licence fee,” state Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam stated, including that every one premium liquor manufacturers, a few of which aren’t out there outdoors airports, had been offered at these airport liquor retailers.
Initially, the businesses working these retailers at the airports will likely be provided to proceed to run the retailers after paying the improved licence fee. In case of refusal, the 2 retailers will likely be auctioned, with the brand new enhanced licence fee.
Sharp rise
The licence fee for working liquor retailers (obligation paid) has been elevated sharply from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 6 crore in Mohali and to Rs 4 crore in Amritsar
The purpose
Having unearthed a mannequin that allowed middlemen and the licensees to make an enormous revenue by liquor sale, the state has selected enhancing the fee
