Number of liquor vends to go up

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 18

The number of liquor vends in the city is likely to increase as the Excise Department has started working on framing a new excise policy. The existing policy is lapsing on March 31.

The department had to curtail the number of liquor vends in the current excise policy after the directive of the Supreme Court banning the vends on national highways. With the ban lifted later, the department is expected to increase the number by around 25 vends in the next financial year.

An official of the department discussed the proposed policy in the meeting held recently and it was decided to identify new locations for the additional vends.

Officials have also discussed a proposal for an increase in the reserve prices of vends. The department had increased the minimum reserve price from Rs 177 crore to Rs 202.55 crore last year.

Sources said the reserve price of the liquor vends may be increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Licence fee is also likely to be increased marginally that can witness the enhancement in rates of different brands of liquor. At present, 77 liquor vends have been operating under the current policy.

Proposal for increase in reserve prices

Officials have also discussed a proposal for an increase in the reserve prices of vends. The department had increased the minimum reserve price from Rs 177 crore to Rs 202.55 crore last year.