STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has adopted a new system for awarding wine shop licenses in the state. From now on, only the highest bidder will get license for opening a wine shop.
According to official sources, the existing rule was that people apply for wine shop licenses, then the excise department considers the application and awards the license after taking a fixed amount as deposit.
There have been allegations that the existing selection criteria were based on nepotism and favouritism, while many got the license in lieu of a ‘hefty amount.’
The government is now ensuring that the new system will be made more transparent and the state will also earn more revenue as a result. According to the new system, applicants of wine licenses have to pay a fixed amount of Rs 1 lakh to participate in the bidding process. The government is going to issue 262 new wine licenses in different locations across the state very soon. The applicant offering the highest bid amount for a wine shop in a particular place will then get the license issued in his name. As the license will now go to the highest bidder, the state government will also earn more revenue, as compared to earlier.
At present, a total of 2,571 IMFL wine shops and bars exist in the state, along with 781 country liquor shops. Among the own sources of revenue for the state government, the excise department has a big role to play. In 2021-22, the state government earned Rs 3,047 crore from the excise department.
Different organizations in the state have, at different times, raised their voice against the proliferation of wine shops. In this regard, official sources said that the move to shut down wine shops in the state will not yield any positive results if the neighbouring states keep their shops open. This will only lead to illegal wine flowing into the state, while the government will also lose out on revenue. Moreover, inferior quality of liquor may trickle in, posing danger to the lives of those who consume such liquor.
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