Unveiling Haryana’s Excise Policy for the year 2018-19, the state government announced on Monday that the Excise duty, this year, on Country Liquor (CL) has been increased from Rs 28 to Rs 44 per proof litre (PL) whereas, on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), it has been increased from Rs 44-200 per PL to Rs 49-210 per PL.

While addressing a Press conference, additional chief secretary, excise and taxation, Sanjeev Kaushal announcing an increase in the basic quota of CL from 950 Lakh PL to 1000 Lakh PL and of IMFL from 550 lakh PL to 600 lakh PL. He said, “However, the number of retail outlets for CL and IMFL would remain the same as 2017-18. Under the new policy, the licensee has been allowed to convert maximum 10 per cent of his CL quota to IMFL quota.

For the purpose of allotment, the zone would comprise of maximum number of six retail outlets with freedom to open either six composite vends consisting of IMFL or CL or IMFL vend exclusively or CL vend exclusively.”

The policy on sub vends would be the same as last year, he said adding that the allotment of zones would be made by e-tendering. The condition with regard to grant of Bar Licenses to Golf Clubs and other categories has been relaxed so as to allow them to open anywhere in the state.

On the request of Japanese Company, Pub licences would be allowed in Industrial Model Township (IMT) Manesar, he added. Kaushal also revealed that the minimum retail price (MRP) of country liquor was proposed at Rs 140 per bottle and it has been made mandatory for all the retail licensees to issue an invoice for sale of liquor.

He said that for environment protection, the distilleries would provide 20 per cent quota in glass bottles for country liquor as an institutional measure. Apart from this, Aadhar Card Number has been made mandatory for applicant for L-2 and L-14A.

The official further stated that Rs One per bottle of CL, IMFL or Beer sold in the state would be utilised for the promotion of sports activities whereas, Rs Three, Rs Five and Rs Seven respectively for every bottle of Beer, CL and IMFL sold would be transferred to Panchayati Raj Institutions for development activities in the rural areas.

Kaushal said that 198 genuine resolutions from Gram Panchayats were received during the year 2017-18 against the opening of liquor vends in their villages as against the 185 such resolutions received during the year 2016-2017.

With a view to tighten noose around those involved in the practice of illegal sale and smuggling of liquor in the state, the Haryana government has decided to set up an Enforcement Wing headed by Excise and Taxation Commissioner (ETC).