Chandigarh may refund, adjust liquor vend licence fee

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9

The UT Excise and Taxation Department is yet take a call on refunding or adjusting the licence fee of liquor vendors for the lockdown period (March 22 to March 31).

Liquor vendors have submitted a representation to the department. Sources said the authorities were seriously mulling over adjusting or refunding the licence fee so as to give some relaxation to the vendors. “We have received requests and the matter is still under consideration. Vends not allowed to open from March 22 to 31 may get a refund, while relaxation is likely to be provided to others by making adjustment in the odd-even scheme,” said sources.

Liquor vends on the roads separating sectors and shopping complexes have not been allowed to open, while those in the neighbourhood markets can operate under the odd-even scheme. Liquor vends were shut since March 22 and allowed to reopen on May 4. Contracts of liquor vends were allotted from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020.

Excise Policy extended

The UT on Saturday announced to extend the Excise Policy for the year 2019-20 from May 16 to June 30 due to the Covid outbreak. All licensees/stakeholders can submit their application, opting for extension, through e-mail by May 15. Those who had earlier not opted for extension from April 1 to May 15 can also submit their options for extension/renewal of licence from April 1 to June 30 by May 11.

“Most liquor vendors are not interested in renewing their licence due to huge losses. We have approached the department to waive or adjust the licence fee for the lockdown period. The department is likely to accept our demands, but we are yet to take a call on extending our licences,” said one of the vendors.