Liquor tax hike

It is extremely unfortunate that taking an opportunity during pandemic times, the Assam Government has imposed additional excise tax on liquor, more as a revenue generation mechanism than anything else. Additional tax and duties are levied on sin items like alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, tobacco produce, etc as a measure to discourage citizens to consume as also to prevent attraction for such items. States like Gujarat are dry States since long, and only a few years back, Bihar also became a State where sale and consumption of liquor was banned, to avoid a social evil. However, it is not the case in Assam. It is in a mood to garner more revenue by opening wine shops across the State, whereas the Government should have kept the wine shops closed as is done in many States during these times.

The Government must also realize that the vast majority of the populace has limited financial resources, which they need to budget depending on the requirements and capacity. If the expenses on sin items increase, there is likelihood of familial and social discord, as repeated studies have shown. Rather, the government should have continued with the idea of closure of wine shops. Or, at the most, should have continued with the status quo, by not increasing the taxes.

Further, both the State and the Union Governments have levied extra taxes on petroleum products when the global oil prices have drastically fallen. The public was bearing the brunt of higher oil prices till recently, and crash in oil prices should have bought some respite, especially during these tough times. But governments seem to be focused on economic maths, rather than the welfare of the populace in general. This attitude of the government is extremely pathetic.

A Bhuyan,

Nagaon