Punjab amends excise policy for IMFL vends

After a failed attempt to allot Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) vends in some cities,the Punjab government has now made amendments in its Excise Policy. The excise and taxation department will float open tenders for these vends.

The decision was taken at meeting on Tuesday. Commissioner,Excise and Taxation,A Venu Prasad said: “The department will advertise the tender notice on Wednesday. Vends in Moga,Amritsar,Phagwara,Kapurthala and Nawanshahr were not picked up by any contractor. For these,we have decided to call tenders after fixing separate reserve prices.” Asked about the reason behind the lack of enthusiasm on part of the contractors,the commissioner said there were reports that the contractors claimed to have suffered losses in these towns during the current financial year.

S J S Beesla,Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner,Ferozepur,said: “Applications for the allotment of vends in Moga were invited on March 21 and March 25,but no one showed interest. Again,applications were invited on March 28,when only six applications were received for 20 IMFL vends. The department was forced to cancel the process.”