‘Hapless’ after vends’ e-auction, wine traders in UT seek relief

Jammu, May 9

Hundreds of wine traders, who lost their livelihood after the introduction of e-auction of liquor vends in Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday made a fervent appeal to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for their rehabilitation.

A majority of 228 liquor traders lost their shops in the e-auction last month, which fetched a whopping Rs 140 crore for one year to the administration as against Rs 10 crore on account of the annual renewal of the licence in the past.

How to clear loans?

The government has left us hapless. It announced e-auction without caring for us. We have huge liabilities. How will we clear these liabilities? —Charanjeet Singh, chief, Jammu Wine Traders’ Association

“We were in wine trade for five decades and the sudden decision to introduce e-auction was protested by us as we were aware that we are not in a position to compete with proxy bidders and retain the source of our livelihood,” Jammu Wine Traders’ Association (JWTA) president Charanjeet Singh said.

He said only 20 of the traders managed to retain their shops while the rest of over 200 lost their business in the e-auction.

“The government has left us hapless. It announced e-auction on the eve of the new financial year without caring for us. We have huge liabilities such as housing and vehicle loans. How will we clear these liabilities?” Singh asked.

He claimed two of the traders died in the past week due to the depression.

“Avtar Singh was perturbed after losing his shop and suffered a massive heart attack resulting in his death, while a woman, who was also a co-owner of a shop, breathed her last two days ago,” Singh said. He alleged the liquor mafia from outside the state had taken over the trade in the e-auction through proxy bidders. — PTI