Govt withdraws excise policy after objections

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 3

The state government has been forced to withdraw the excise policy (wholesale liquor policy FL-2 for the new financial year) after objections were raised by a section of Cabinet members, who met here yesterday. The government has formed a committee under Chief Secretary N. Ravishankar to iron out differences.

The policy pertains to the establishment of two godowns for foreign liquor in the state. However, it was vehemently opposed by the Opposition last year, as the government had then tried to bring in changes in the policy and had even issued a government order, though the model code of conduct was in place in the state for a byelection.

Last year too, the Opposition had slammed the government for “favouring” a multi-national company at the cost of local stockists and trying to set up two centres at Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun. Sensing an opportunity once again, the Opposition has slammed the Harish Rawat-led government for not informing Cabinet members about the policy decisions. The issue is expected to be taken up at the budget session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly starting from March 11.

Structure of Excise Dept overhauled

While the government managed to withdraw the excise policy, its decision to create two zones, Dehradun and Nainital, under the Excise Department has not gone unnoticed. It is alleged that the entire exercise has been done at the behest of a minister who wanted an important field post for his brother in the department. Without caring for the suitability of such an exercise, the government has brought together Dehradun and Haridwar to create one excise zone (Dehradun) and Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar were brought together to create another excise zone (Nainital). For this, two divisions posts of deputy commissioner would also be created.

Though the department is saying that such an exercise was carried out to achieve targets, sources say it has been done to “accommodate the wishes of the Cabinet minister who wanted a plum post for his brother.

Earlier, at the behest of the minister, his brother was posted from the district (field post) to the headquarters. Now once again, the minister managed to “pressurise” the government.

The department was against the move, which termed it unnecessary as all these districts were well ahead in achieving targets. Now with the setting up of two zones, crores of money would be spent in establishing offices.