Haryana targets Rs 7,500 cr from new excise policy, will grant licences online


Devdiscourse News Desk | Chandigarh | Updated: 05-03-2019 22:23 IST | Created: 05-03-2019 21:11 IST
Haryana targets Rs 7,500 cr from new excise policy, will grant licences online
The Policy also enables liquor manufacturers to market Indian Made Foreign Liquor in tetrapacks (biodegradable) of 180 ml, called Nips. Image Credit: Pexels
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The Haryana government Tuesday unveiled a new excise policy for 2019-20, targeting revenue mobilisation of Rs 7,500 crore from liquor against Rs 6,300 crore for current fiscal. Under the new excise policy, the government gave nod for approving the receipt of applications and grant of licences through the department's portal as part of its ease of doing business initiatives.

Emphasizing its commitment to environmental protection, at least 20 per cent of the liquor will be sold in glass bottles. The Policy also enables liquor manufacturers to market Indian Made Foreign Liquor in tetrapacks (biodegradable) of 180 ml, called Nips.

To provide quality country liquor to the consumers at lower rates, the policy allowed the launch of superior 65-degree proof country liquor called "Metro Liquor" to be distilled and marketed by the State based distilleries. "The policy fulfils the expectations of the armed forces by lowering excise duty on Rum sold through Canteen Stores Department canteens in the State by Rs 61 per proof litre," the release said.

To ensure that there is no manufacture and supply of illicit/smuggled liquor, 350 police personnel would be deputed in the Department exclusively for this purpose. The excise policy was approved at a meeting of state cabinet here, which met under the chairmanship of chief minister ML Khattar, an official release said.

With a view to moulding the consumption from strong to mild liquor, the State has allowed microbreweries to opt for a licence without seeking a mandatory license for hard liquor. The policy also permitted the establishment of state of the art outlets called 'Avant-garde' in malls and licensed shopping areas in Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula "to enhance the marketing experience of all the consumers".

The policy also rationalizes excise duty on IMFL, country liquor and beer to maximise revenue and to simultaneously promote the industry as a whole. To cater to the growing demand, the annual mandatory lifting quota for country liquor and IMFL has been marginally raised from 10 to 10.5 Crore Proof Litre and from 6 to 6.5 Crore Proof Litre respectively.

The excise policy provides for stringent norms of sale for bars and restaurants, particularly in towns like Bhiwani, Kaithal, Hisar, Jind and Fatehabad to ensure that licenses are not misused for sale of bottled liquor. To facilitate individuals to keep enhanced stock of liquor through his lifetime for self-consumption at home, the licence for this purpose (L­50) has been made more affordable and it would now be possible to obtain this license online through the department's portal.        

Liquor will not be sold in 57 Panchayats which passed a resolution to that effect in the prescribed time. Liquor will also not be sold in the holy cities of Thanesar MC limit and Pehowa. Disposal of expired or confiscated beer will also be carried out under an environment-friendly manner through the Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) of the breweries.

In another decision, the cabinet gave approval to a proposal of the Transport Department for rationalisation of rates of motor vehicle tax. Similarly, for goods vehicle, the Motor Vehicle Tax slabs have been further rationalised as per Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) (in tonnes).

The cabinet also gave its approval to a proposal of the Transport Department for rationalisation of rates of tax on the stage carriages operated by any State Transport Undertaking of Haryana as City Bus Service and for educational Institutions. The buses of educational institutions registered outside the State will be required to pay 20 per cent more tax than the tax paid by the buses registered within the State.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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