UT extend excise policy; planning on waiving of adjusting liquor fee for lock down period

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9

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

The local liquor vendors have submitted a representation in the department. Sources claimed that the authorities are seriously thinking for adjusting or refunding the liquor license fee in order to give some relaxation to the vendors.

“Yes, we have received requests and the matter is still under consideration. The vends who were not allowed to open during the March 22 to 31 period may get a refund, while for others, relaxation is likely to be provided by making adjustment in the already started even-odd scheme,” said a source close the matter.

The liquor shops, located at the sector dividing roads and shopping complexes, have not been allowed to open, while others, located at neighbourhood markets, are open under the odd-even rule. The shops were closed from March 22 to March 31 and were re-opened recently on May 4. The contracts of liquor vends were allotted from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020.

Excise policy extended

The administration has today announced to extend the excise policy for the year 2019-20 from May 16 to June 30 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. All the licensees/stakeholders can submit their application, opting for extension, through mail on or before May 15. Those, who had earlier not opted for extension from April 1 to May 15, can also submit option for extension/renewal of their license from April 1 to June 30— on or before May 11. “Majority of the liquor vendors are not interested in renewing their license due to huge losses. We have approached the department to waive off or adjust the liquor fee for the lockdown period during our contract period. The department is likely to accept our demands but for future business; we are yet to take a call,” said one of the local vendor.