Rajasthan
Renewal: Less Than Half Of Liquor Stores In Raj Have Renewed Licences So Far | Jaipur News
Jaipur: Even as last date for renewal of liquor store licences is approaching, not many owners are coming forward to continue in financial year 2023-24.
The department has set February 20 deadline for owners to get their licences renewed, however, till February 18, 5080 store owners have not shown interest.
There are 7,665 liquor shops in the state and owners have to apply for renewal every year. As per data, only 2,582 have applied for renewal.
An official said, “Renewal is mandatory for the shops which were allotted before April 25, 2022, otherwise their earnest money will be confiscated. There is no compulsion for owners whose shop was allotted after April 25,2022. The department is expecting renewal from 80% shop owners”.
After many announcements providing relaxation were made in the recent Budget speech, many liquor traders believe that majority of licences will be renewed.
Nilesh Mewada, president, Raj Liquor Welfare Society, said, “In view of Covid, up to 50% discount on the outstanding amount for 2021-22 and complete relaxation on interest has been given by the chief minister in the Budget. This will encourage the traders to continue.”
The liquor shops, which will find no takers in the auction, will be run by the government departments including Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), Ganganagar Sugar Mill (GSM) and Rajasthan State Beverages Corporation Limited (RSBCL).
The officers and employees of these departments will operate liquor shops so that the state government can earn revenue.
“These shops will be auctioned in three phases which will start from March 13. The second phase auction will be held on March 20, while the third and final phase auction will be on March 27,” said an official.
At present, liquor is the biggest source of revenue for the state government. Excise department had set a target of Rs 15,000 crore revenue in the current financial year (2022-23), which is expected to increase in the next financial year.
In the new policy issued by the excise department recently, it has been decided to remove 30% additional excise duty on Indian Made English Liquor. After this decision, a bottle of English liquor will become cheaper by Rs 10 to Rs 15 from the next financial year.
The department has set February 20 deadline for owners to get their licences renewed, however, till February 18, 5080 store owners have not shown interest.
There are 7,665 liquor shops in the state and owners have to apply for renewal every year. As per data, only 2,582 have applied for renewal.
An official said, “Renewal is mandatory for the shops which were allotted before April 25, 2022, otherwise their earnest money will be confiscated. There is no compulsion for owners whose shop was allotted after April 25,2022. The department is expecting renewal from 80% shop owners”.
After many announcements providing relaxation were made in the recent Budget speech, many liquor traders believe that majority of licences will be renewed.
Nilesh Mewada, president, Raj Liquor Welfare Society, said, “In view of Covid, up to 50% discount on the outstanding amount for 2021-22 and complete relaxation on interest has been given by the chief minister in the Budget. This will encourage the traders to continue.”
The liquor shops, which will find no takers in the auction, will be run by the government departments including Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), Ganganagar Sugar Mill (GSM) and Rajasthan State Beverages Corporation Limited (RSBCL).
The officers and employees of these departments will operate liquor shops so that the state government can earn revenue.
“These shops will be auctioned in three phases which will start from March 13. The second phase auction will be held on March 20, while the third and final phase auction will be on March 27,” said an official.
At present, liquor is the biggest source of revenue for the state government. Excise department had set a target of Rs 15,000 crore revenue in the current financial year (2022-23), which is expected to increase in the next financial year.
In the new policy issued by the excise department recently, it has been decided to remove 30% additional excise duty on Indian Made English Liquor. After this decision, a bottle of English liquor will become cheaper by Rs 10 to Rs 15 from the next financial year.
